Bye Bye Colonel Reb!

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Permalink Reply by Grammy Rosebud on February 25, 2010 at 11:47am

I think it's silly to be making schools get rid of their mascots UNLESS they are racially offensive. I never have viewed the Ole Miss mascot as a symbol of racism. Does anyone else? The old South was full of older southern gentlemen. I don't want to be racist (which I'm not) or even appear racist but enough is enough! Go Cats!

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Permalink Reply by Carl Marshall on February 25, 2010 at 12:46pm

I dont disagree with you but, in this case, I think Ole Miss made the decision that Colonel Reb's time had come and gone - they were not forced by others to get rid of him. Ole Miss is a fine school which labors under the burden of a past that is linked to James Meredith (its first black student) and the required mobilization of federal troops by JFK to accompany him and put down riots when he was the first black person to attend that school . Unfortunately, alot of people associate this long ago past with the present university. The Chancellor at Ole Miss when Colonel Reb left the sidelines was Bob Khayat, whom I know well. He was an All American lineman at Ole Miss in the 60's when he played for Johnny Vaught. He was also a law professor who held degrees from Yale and Ole Miss. He saw that Ole Miss had to cut ties with a past that was holding it back in order to move forward and be seen as the quality university it is. I went to Ole Miss law school after I graduated from UK and I think Colonel Reb probably needed to retire.

Also, a great thing about going to Ole Miss was, since it was not a basketball school, we could get front row student tickets whent the Cats came to town just by showing up at the arena about two hours before the game!

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

I think it's silly to be making schools get rid of their mascots UNLESS they are racially offensive. I never have viewed the Ole Miss mascot as a symbol of racism. Does anyone else? The old South was full of older southern gentlemen. I don't want to be racist (which I'm not) or even appear racist but enough is enough! Go Cats!

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Permalink Reply by Grammy Rosebud on February 25, 2010 at 1:20pm

Thanks for your thoughts on this topic, Mr. Marshall. I value your perspective as a former Ole Miss student. While not an Ole Miss student, I am a Mississippi girl born and raised and also from a family that were University of Mississippi fans. I was a young girl when James Meredith took his famous steps onto campus that day in 1962. I have witnessed the bullet holes in the stately old columns of one of the buildings. The last time I was there long ago, the bullet holes remained. I understand what it means to be Southern and I understand what it means to live among Southerners some of whom are racists. I am fortunate to have not been raised in that narrow minded way. You're right that Ole Miss wasn't forced by mandate to do away with Colonel Reb. They did it on their own in order to put at least a semblance of distance between the school and a reminder of its Confederate past. I understand why they would want to move away from some of the past. I'm happy that they want to do that. However, as I am sure you know, the flag of the great state of Mississippi is still displayed on that campus as it is throughout the state -- and do you know what's on that flag? Part of the Confederate flag. How can that be? In my opinion, there are some things that are a part of history whether we agree with the things that went on during that history or not. It may sound like I have conflicting views but I assure you that I don't. I am, however, proud of my heritage. My family was among the first three families to settle in Mississippi alongside the Chickasaw Indians. They were considered to be wealthy by that days standards and yes, they served the Confederacy. They did not, however, own slaves. They hired men to help them. Braves, Indians, Rebels -- all have come and gone as school mascots. All are a part of the past. They are symbols of what we choose to make them symbols of.

Carl Marshall said:

I dont disagree with you but, in this case, I think Ole Miss made the decision that Colonel Reb's time had come and gone - they were not forced by others to get rid of him. Ole Miss is a fine school which labors under the burden of a past that is linked to James Meredith (its first black student) and the required mobilization of federal troops by JFK to accompany him and put down riots when he was the first black person to attend that school . Unfortunately, alot of people associate this long ago past with the present university. The Chancellor at Ole Miss when Colonel Reb left the sidelines was Bob Khayat, whom I know well. He was an All American lineman at Ole Miss in the 60's when he played for Johnny Vaught. He was also a law professor who held degrees from Yale and Ole Miss. He saw that Ole Miss had to cut ties with a past that was holding it back in order to move forward and be seen as the quality university it is. I went to Ole Miss law school after I graduated from UK and I think Colonel Reb probably needed to retire.

Also, a great thing about going to Ole Miss was, since it was not a basketball school, we could get front row student tickets whent the Cats came to town just by showing up at the arena about two hours before the game!

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

I think it's silly to be making schools get rid of their mascots UNLESS they are racially offensive. I never have viewed the Ole Miss mascot as a symbol of racism. Does anyone else? The old South was full of older southern gentlemen. I don't want to be racist (which I'm not) or even appear racist but enough is enough! Go Cats!

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Permalink Reply by Carl Marshall on February 25, 2010 at 1:41pm

Great thoughts. I lived and worked in Greenville, MS. for five years before returning to the Commonwealth and while there I became friends with some of the finest people I have ever known who not only went to Ole Miss, but also to Princeton, Rice and Oxford (England - not MS) and they would agree completely with you. I think that reasonable people can disagree on this issue. While I was at Ole Miss, the issue was the Rebel flag in the stadium. My friends who waved the flag did not seem to be racists - they just loved Ole Miss. But others could, as you say, make something else of these symbols and many students(but not most - for sure) at Ole Miss objected to the flag even back in the mid 80's.

Ultimately, Ole Miss has, unfairly I think, had to wrestle with the label of racism - while trying to deal with the day to day problems every other University has to deal with. For what it is worh, my family tree has it's share of Texicans and Floridians who fought under the Stars and Bars too - but they were poor folks who scraped a living from the brush. I don't think many northerners understand that part of history

I know one thing, it is gratifying to have a discussion like this with someone without them being disrespectful of your opinion. There is not enough of that these days, I think.

Have a good one.

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

Thanks for your thoughts on this topic, Mr. Marshall. I value your perspective as a former Ole Miss student. While not an Ole Miss student, I am a Mississippi girl born and raised and also from a family that were University of Mississippi fans. I was a young girl when James Meredith took his famous steps onto campus that day in 1962. I have witnessed the bullet holes in the stately old columns of one of the buildings. The last time I was there long ago, the bullet holes remained. I understand what it means to be Southern and I understand what it means to live among Southerners some of whom are racists. I am fortunate to have not been raised in that narrow minded way. You're right that Ole Miss wasn't forced by mandate to do away with Colonel Reb. They did it on their own in order to put at least a semblance of distance between the school and a reminder of its Confederate past. I understand why they would want to move away from the past. I'm happy that they want to do that. However, as I am sure you know, the flag of the great state of Mississippi is still displayed on that campus as it is throughout the state -- and do you know what's on that flag? Part of the Confederate flag. How can that be? In my opinion, there are some things that are a part of history whether we agree with the things that went on during that history or not. It may sound like I have conflicting views but I assure you that I don't. I am proud of my heritage. My family was among the first three families to settle in Mississippi alongside the Chickasaw Indians. They were considered to be wealthy by that days standards and yes, they served the Confederacy. They did not, however, own slaves. They hired men to help them. Braves, Indians, Rebels -- all have come and gone as school mascots. All are a part of the past. They are symbols of what we choose to make them symbols of.

Carl Marshall said:

I dont disagree with you but, in this case, I think Ole Miss made the decision that Colonel Reb's time had come and gone - they were not forced by others to get rid of him. Ole Miss is a fine school which labors under the burden of a past that is linked to James Meredith (its first black student) and the required mobilization of federal troops by JFK to accompany him and put down riots when he was the first black person to attend that school . Unfortunately, alot of people associate this long ago past with the present university. The Chancellor at Ole Miss when Colonel Reb left the sidelines was Bob Khayat, whom I know well. He was an All American lineman at Ole Miss in the 60's when he played for Johnny Vaught. He was also a law professor who held degrees from Yale and Ole Miss. He saw that Ole Miss had to cut ties with a past that was holding it back in order to move forward and be seen as the quality university it is. I went to Ole Miss law school after I graduated from UK and I think Colonel Reb probably needed to retire.

Also, a great thing about going to Ole Miss was, since it was not a basketball school, we could get front row student tickets whent the Cats came to town just by showing up at the arena about two hours before the game!

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

I think it's silly to be making schools get rid of their mascots UNLESS they are racially offensive. I never have viewed the Ole Miss mascot as a symbol of racism. Does anyone else? The old South was full of older southern gentlemen. I don't want to be racist (which I'm not) or even appear racist but enough is enough! Go Cats!

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Permalink Reply by Grammy Rosebud on February 25, 2010 at 1:47pm

Well said, Mr. Marshall. Thanks for your comments. I look forward to more discussions with you. Old time posters on this site know that Grammy loves to "discuss" things but I don't tolerate disrespect. As you said, we can be hospitable and still disagree. Some might say they are reminded of so-called Southern charm -- that's the ability to kick someone on the seat of their pants while they don't know you are doing it and then when they realize it, they thank you for it because you were so nice while doing it. ha! Signing off for now. Later.

Carl Marshall said:

Great thoughts. I lived and worked in Greenville, MS. for five years before returning to the Commonwealth and while there I became friends with some of the finest people I have ever known who not only went to Ole Miss, but also to Princeton, Rice and Oxford (England - not MS) and they would agree completely with you. I think that reasonable people can disagree on this issue. While I was at Ole Miss, the issue was the Rebel flag in the stadium. My friends who waved the flag did not seem to be racists - they just loved Ole Miss. But others could, as you say, make something else of these symbols and many students(but not most - for sure) at Ole Miss objected to the flag even back in the mid 80's.

Ultimately, Ole Miss has, unfairly I think, had to wrestle with the label of racism - while trying to deal with the day to day problems every other University has to deal with. For what it is worh, my family tree has it's share of Texicans and Floridians who fought under the Stars and Bars too - but they were poor folks who scraped a living from the brush. I don't think many northerners understand that part of history

I know one thing, it is gratifying to have a discussion like this with someone without them being disrespectful of your opinion. There is not enough of that these days, I think.

Have a good one.

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

Thanks for your thoughts on this topic, Mr. Marshall. I value your perspective as a former Ole Miss student. While not an Ole Miss student, I am a Mississippi girl born and raised and also from a family that were University of Mississippi fans. I was a young girl when James Meredith took his famous steps onto campus that day in 1962. I have witnessed the bullet holes in the stately old columns of one of the buildings. The last time I was there long ago, the bullet holes remained. I understand what it means to be Southern and I understand what it means to live among Southerners some of whom are racists. I am fortunate to have not been raised in that narrow minded way. You're right that Ole Miss wasn't forced by mandate to do away with Colonel Reb. They did it on their own in order to put at least a semblance of distance between the school and a reminder of its Confederate past. I understand why they would want to move away from the past. I'm happy that they want to do that. However, as I am sure you know, the flag of the great state of Mississippi is still displayed on that campus as it is throughout the state -- and do you know what's on that flag? Part of the Confederate flag. How can that be? In my opinion, there are some things that are a part of history whether we agree with the things that went on during that history or not. It may sound like I have conflicting views but I assure you that I don't. I am proud of my heritage. My family was among the first three families to settle in Mississippi alongside the Chickasaw Indians. They were considered to be wealthy by that days standards and yes, they served the Confederacy. They did not, however, own slaves. They hired men to help them. Braves, Indians, Rebels -- all have come and gone as school mascots. All are a part of the past. They are symbols of what we choose to make them symbols of.

Carl Marshall said:

I dont disagree with you but, in this case, I think Ole Miss made the decision that Colonel Reb's time had come and gone - they were not forced by others to get rid of him. Ole Miss is a fine school which labors under the burden of a past that is linked to James Meredith (its first black student) and the required mobilization of federal troops by JFK to accompany him and put down riots when he was the first black person to attend that school . Unfortunately, alot of people associate this long ago past with the present university. The Chancellor at Ole Miss when Colonel Reb left the sidelines was Bob Khayat, whom I know well. He was an All American lineman at Ole Miss in the 60's when he played for Johnny Vaught. He was also a law professor who held degrees from Yale and Ole Miss. He saw that Ole Miss had to cut ties with a past that was holding it back in order to move forward and be seen as the quality university it is. I went to Ole Miss law school after I graduated from UK and I think Colonel Reb probably needed to retire.

Also, a great thing about going to Ole Miss was, since it was not a basketball school, we could get front row student tickets whent the Cats came to town just by showing up at the arena about two hours before the game!

GO CATS

Grammy Rosebud said:

I think it's silly to be making schools get rid of their mascots UNLESS they are racially offensive. I never have viewed the Ole Miss mascot as a symbol of racism. Does anyone else? The old South was full of older southern gentlemen. I don't want to be racist (which I'm not) or even appear racist but enough is enough! Go Cats!

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