The Daily Mississippian offers dueling opinions on whether Colonel Reb should be saved. Take it from Doctor S, it’s time to retire the slavemaster.
The DM is also conducting an online poll. Not surprisingly, Save Him is leading by a wide margin. Either the students love the slavemaster or Richard Barrett has learned how to use a computer.
Previous Comments
Ooo, very interesting, Doc. Thanks! We’ve beaten the hell out of Spike; now let’s go after the old plantation man!
#118219 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Feb 28 2006
Boy, what conflicting responses! The online poll asking, “Is Col. Reb worth saving?” got a YES vote of 77% to 16% BUT The current online poll asking, “Do you think Colonel Rebel hurts the university’s image?” is now receiving a YESD vote of 74% to 24%. I always new oxford Junior College was a bit schizophrenic, but come on! “Col. Reb hurts our image but it’s worth it?”
#118220 | Author: Rex | Date: Mar 1 2006
Hey, it could be that word is getting out further than the racism apologists. 😉
#118221 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Mar 1 2006
Want to know my real prediction on this? First, background: Years ago an OJC basketball coach named Barnes started complaining that the flag and mascot hurt his recruiting efforts. Khayat slowly moved to understand the larger racial implications of the flag and mascot and after a time “jumped up” and threw out the flag then tried to get the mascot changed. Of course the rabid outcry in the name of tradition ensued and continues. Rebel flags are still waved at OJC athletic events and Colonel Reb continues to celebrate the plantation-past. Prediction: Rebel flags will continue to be waved at OJC athletic events and Colonel Reb will remain as a celebrant of the plantation-past. Barnes will no longer need to worry about OJC recruiting.
#118222 | Author: Rex | Date: Mar 1 2006
An update: A former Colonel Reb says the slaveowner should return and Pete Boone should go.
#118223 | Author: Dr. S | Date: Mar 1 2006
Actually, I thought it all started when TuberEARS fought to get the “stick ban” approved at Vaught-Doublewide Stadium. The demise of the wacky plantation owner came a few years later… after Ears left town in his “pine box”. Remember these jewels? Mr. Clean and “Bruiser”?”Barnes will no longer need to worry about OJC recruiting.” I don’t know that there’d be much difference between Barnes’ best recruiting efforts and no effort at all. Seriously.
#118224 | Author: millhouse | Date: Mar 1 2006
Ole Miss’ efforts to keep the Confederate battle flag out of sight extend back to at least the early 1990s. Doctor S vividly remembers the 1992 Ole Miss-Mississippi State football game, when the Rebels scored a stirring victory in Oxford. Afterward, while Rebels coach Billy Brewer was being interviewed on television, UM sports information director Langston Rogers tangled with a fan who tried to hold up a battle flag behind Brewer. And when Steve Sloan coached there in the 1970s and 80s, he tried unsuccessfully to get the school to take Colonel Reb off of the football team’s helmets.
#118225 | Author: Dr. S | Date: Mar 3 2006
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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.