In response to the news that state Sen. Lydia Chassaniol was the “surprise speaker” at the recent Council of Conservative Citizens meeting in Jackson in June, Jackson playwright Beth Kander announced on Facebook that she will be hand delivering a letter —and flowers—to the senator.
“Rather than just post and rant, I really do plan a beyond-e-mail action response,” Kander wrote on Facebook. “On my way to Oxford this weekend, I am going to deliver a letter and some flowers to Sen. Chassaniol. The letter is below. I’d love for it to be signed by as many folks as possible. If you comment on this or email me before Friday evening, I’ll add your name to the letter. Let’s not just rant – let’s make a statement, in a kind (and even
generous!) way… that will hopefully be quite memorable.”
Dear Sen. Lydia Chassaniol:
We were very disappointed to learn that you were the “surprise speaker” at the recent convention of the Council of Conservative Citizens in Jackson. It was quite an unpleasant surprise to us, to learn that one of our state senators would be a friend and ally to a group that so freely espouses hatred. You were elected to represent all your constituents, and all Mississippians and we can assure you that the views of the CCC do NOT reflect the views of the majority of your constituents, or Mississippians.
We love our neighbors. We love our state, and want to elevate our state¹s reputation in the nation. We do not want to be seen as a backwards, regressive, racist state—and when our politicians hobnob with unapologetically racist, hate-mongering groups, it wounds us, our image, our reputation as a state.
Thus, we wanted to express our sorrow, and our profound disappointment. We wanted to let you know that this action did not go unnoticed, and will not go unmentioned; we must protest it, just as we must protest the hurtful ways of groups like the Council of Conservative Citizens. But we will not protest hate by spewing more hate; instead, we’ll respond to this incident with the only things that will combat hate honesty, information, and of course, love. So please accept these flowers; they are a symbol of acceptance well, more accurately, celebration!
Why celebration? Because Mississippi is a vibrant, diverse state—and that’s a fact that deserves not only acceptance, but also full-fledged embrace. You oversee TOURISM, and helped coin our new “Birthplace of American Music” slogan. So many of the highlights of Mississippi tourism are due to the musical, artistic, architectural, and cultural contributions of a VERY diverse group of Mississippians, past and present. How can we not celebrate our state¹s entire cultural heritage?
So please enjoy the flowers. Please share in our celebration of Mississippi¹s full, flourishing, multi-faceted cultural heritage. And please don¹t support any groups who would deny the true beauty of our whole community.
With love,
Beth Kander
See also:
Minister Blasts Mississippi Senator’s Connections
Winona Senator was ‘Surprise’ CofCC Speaker
Guess Who’s Coming To Jackson
Previous Comments
This is so brilliant–and so much in keeping with the idea of doing activism that’s creative, activism that stands out. Somebody suggested that we do an action. My friends, this is an action. I added my signature to this on FB, and will reiterate here: Please add my name to the letter. And if you’re reading this and share the sentiments Beth expressed so well here, please, folks, do the same.
#149456 | Author: Tom Head | Date: Jul 9 2009
excellent, Ms. Kander. You make me proud. You are the real voice of Mississippi.
#149460 | Author: Pops | Date: Jul 9 2009
Yay, Beth. SPEAK. ;-D People like the senator simply do not speak for us all. Let’s tell the world.
#149461 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jul 9 2009
Well done, Beth. I’m skeptical about the effect on Senator Chassaniol, but it demonstrates to others that not all Mississippians are a bunch of backwoods, racist haters. Keep up the good work. If I can figure out how to add my name to the letter on FB, I’ll do so.
#149462 | Author: pigbodine | Date: Jul 9 2009
Beth, you can add my name to the letter. Kudos. Action. Not talk. I like it!
#149465 | Author: Kamikaze | Date: Jul 9 2009
Beth, you are awesome. Please add my name to the letter!
#149467 | Author: Deirdra Harris Glover | Date: Jul 9 2009
Thanks, y’all. And if you are NOT on Facebook, you can leave a comment here on the JFP site asking me to add your name to the note, and I’ll check back here as well before signing all the names and heading to Winona. Again, thank you!
#149468 | Author: BethIsadora | Date: Jul 9 2009
Put my name on there, too, Beth! Laurel Isbister and add a big fat picture of a heart on there, as well! flowers speak louder than words anyways love the letter
#149470 | Author: Izzy | Date: Jul 9 2009
Great idea Beth. I’m sure my email was lost in the sea of deleted ones or directed automatically into the junk mail. So please add my name as well. Wayne Martin 🙂
#149474 | Author: WMartin | Date: Jul 9 2009
Beth, Please add my name to the letter. I admire you speaking out and doing something. I don’t want to have to defend my home state to anyone any more. There are so many good things about Mississippi, but when others see something like this it takes us two steps back. Let’s move forward- TOGETHER!
#149475 | Author: chatterbox | Date: Jul 9 2009
Please add me too – Andi Agnew – love the idea. Just as there are all types of flowers to make a pretty bouquet, it takes all types of people to make the world a beautiful place.
#149476 | Author: andi | Date: Jul 9 2009
KUDOS! This is genius! Please add my name. Jay Losset
#149477 | Author: JSL1 | Date: Jul 9 2009
Be sure to add my name, Beth: Ronni Mott. You’re the best!
#149479 | Author: Ronni_Mott | Date: Jul 9 2009
What a great idea! Please add my name: Susan Voisin.
#149480 | Author: SusanV | Date: Jul 9 2009
Excellent. Please add my name: Matthew Rook.
#149481 | Author: deepsouthfugee | Date: Jul 9 2009
Thanks again, Beth, for doing this! Don’t forget to add me!
#149482 | Author: Lori Kincses | Date: Jul 9 2009
Thanks for being you! Please add my name. Bob Lowery
#149485 | Author: Bob Lowery | Date: Jul 9 2009
This sounds great! Please add my name also. Jason Moore
#149487 | Author: Jason Moore | Date: Jul 9 2009
http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?passage=Matthew+5:43-45&date=20090221
#149488 | Author: chimneyville | Date: Jul 9 2009
I meant to post all of Matthew 5:43-45, which seemed to be appropriate
#149489 | Author: chimneyville | Date: Jul 9 2009
Thank you. This is a great response. Please post our names: Kimberly Jones Shelley Johnson
#149490 | Author: MS Rainbow Alliance | Date: Jul 9 2009
I like this & want to be a part – please add my name: Lee Eaton And thank you JFP – love this daily news!
#149491 | Author: leequal.justice | Date: Jul 9 2009
Chimneyville, I do understand what you, as a sincere Christian are trying to convey but, considering that the first point of the CofCC’s ‘principles’ is ‘America is a Christian Nation’, I think that Matthew 7:5 would be much more appropriate!
#149492 | Author: Macedonian | Date: Jul 9 2009
All this is amazing. All of you should come to Lemuria today at, well, right now (or until 7 p.m.) for the signing of James Dickerson’s and Alex Alston’s new book, “Devil’s Sanctuary,” about civil rights hate crimes in Mississippi. If you care about the senator’s lunacy, you will *love* this book. And it’s by *Mississippians*, who understand the complexities of the state. I get so tired of people from other places trying to tell our stories for us! See you there. I’m about to head over.
#149493 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jul 9 2009
What a great list this is becoming! Keep ’em coming all! Thanks again to Beth. And Lee, thanks for your comments. People do seem really excited about “The Daily,” as we’re calling it. Y’all feel free to use our shorthand, too. 😉
#149498 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jul 10 2009
Thank you so much for representing us more appropriately and honestly than many of our officially elected leaders. Keep up the inspired and inspiring work! Please include my name if possible: Jon V. Rost
#149501 | Author: msmathman | Date: Jul 10 2009
Please add my name (Waurene Roberson). I tried to do it via Facebook, but couldn’t figure out how. Great job,thank you for this! Is anyone going to the Grassroots Blues Festival in Duck Hill tomorrow? I’m taking a couple of signs to put on my chair and maybe I can get some conversation going down there with local folks attending. That has to be in her district.
#149503 | Author: C.W. | Date: Jul 10 2009
There’s still time to add your name to the list! And for some folks who commented here but didn’t list your name (Chatterbox? Anyone else?), please let me know your name here or via Facebook or email. Thanks again!
#149523 | Author: BethIsadora | Date: Jul 10 2009
I dunno . it wasnt that long ago that when you put your name on a list, these folks would pay you a visit late at night, wearing white sheets, and then burn a cross in your yard.just kidding,sort of.I will send it to you on facebook.
#149524 | Author: chimneyville | Date: Jul 10 2009
Chimneyville, I hear you. I just pray we’re in a different time – where that won’t happen, and if heaven forbid, it did, instead of being condoned and concealed, such an action would be unequivocally condemned. There’s always a risk in speaking out; I’m a shy person, who will tremble when I hold the flowers in my hand. But I’m fortified by the support we’ve seen thus far, and as a proud American, feel that it is my right, privilege and duty to celebrate without fear those things that I find most beautiful about our country. “Diversity” is on that list of things to celebrate, as is “liberty and justice for all.”
#149526 | Author: BethIsadora | Date: Jul 10 2009
Well, at least we’re all armed in Mississippi. And all you’ve got to do is text LawClerk, and he’ll come over and shoot somebody! 😉 There’s so much power in numbers, folks. Let’s take back our state once and for all from the people who treat us all like bigots, and the people who pander for their votes.
#149528 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Jul 10 2009
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.
