Mississippi Governor Declares April “Confederate Heritage Month” Again

Keeping up with 30+ years of problematic tradition, the Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves, has once again signed a proclamation declaring April “Confederate Heritage Month.”

The proclamation reads, “Whereas, as we honor all who lost their lives in (the Civil War), it is important for all Americans to reflect upon our nation’s past, to gain insight from our mistakes and successes, and to come to a full understanding that the lessons learned yesterday and today will carry us through tomorrow if we carefully and earnestly strive to understand and appreciate our heritage and our opportunities which lie before us,”

It continues, “Now, therefore, I, Tate Reeves, Governor of the State of Mississippi, hereby proclaim the month of April 2023 as Confederate Heritage Month in the State of Mississippi.”

This is the fourth consecutive year that Gov. Tate has made the declaration. All of the Governors before him have done the same since the observation was first established by former Governor Kirk Fordice.

According to the US Census, Mississippi is home to more Black people than any other state in the country—with a Black population of nearly 40%.

During the Civil War, the Confederacy’s stance was rooted in slavery and racism. Now it’s symbols—such as the Confederate flag—have become synonymous with white supremacy.

The Confederate States of America were composed of 11 southern US states that seceded from the country after the election of President Lincoln. The Confederacy only lasted from 1861-1865 and was never formally recognized sovereign.

Is it time to let this tradition go?