Video: Historian Talks Past and Present of Mississippi

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — University of North Carolina Professor of History and nationally recognized leader in Southern studies Dr. William “Bill” Ferris spoke with WCBI Monday about the changes from the “Old South” to the challenges of the “New South”.

Ferris has spent most of his life studying Mississippi’s culture, especially literature and music, as well as the state’s civil rights history.

Ferris said he’s proud of the changes Mississippi has made in his lifetime, with desegregation and the civil rights movement. He also said those changes will help Mississippi usher in new populations in the future.

“…We still have the same power of place…”, Ferris said about the culture that hasn’t changed since the “Old South”, “…you say “Where are you from?” when you meet people, and the deep love for family and religion and community that Southerners have.

…No matter when you visit the south, that’s going to be a given.”

Ferris also called for the state to change the state flag, saying, “we should have a flag that everyone is proud of.”

“The Confederate flag is a part of our history…”, said Ferris, “…it should be studied on the pages of history and in museums, but it shouldn’t be flying over public buildings, because that’s 150 years ago…”

“Change has got to come…”, Ferris continued, “…and we’ve had change in Mississippi at every level. We just don’t need a symbolic presence which gives pain to black people and many whites, it’s just not worth it…”

Ferris also stressed how important education is to moving Mississippi forward, and hopes the state will make necessary investments toward higher education.

“If you’re going to build a factory, you wouldn’t mind investing in the building, and the very best equipment…”, said Ferris, “…education is no different. If you want your people to be successful, then they have to have an education. If they don’t get it here, they will go elsewhere, and probably not come back.”

Ferris also said he believes Mississippi continues to be a “beacon of hope” for the South.