After more than an hour of discussion, the Mississippi Flag Commission narrowed banner selections down to nine. The plan for the Friday meeting at the Two Mississippi Museums in Jackson was to select their final five picks. But they're delaying the vote to Tuesday morning.
Katie Blount, director of the state department of archives and history, says people can see those nine designs on their website and give their input.
"They want the public to have a chance to see them," said Blount. "The public will have a chance to express favorites. At this point, the commissioners will take a look at that and they'll vote on Tuesday."
Commissioners discussed design details, rearranging colors and symbols, to see how they look. Chief Cyrus Ben of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians explains why he offered variations to include a starburst, which is a design often used in Native American culture, clothing, and beadwork.
"The starburst design that you may have heard me talk about is of respect for the sun and what it provides," said Ben.
"We were people that lived off the land and so we utilized everything that the land provided us. And so, how can we incorporate our Native artwork or symbolism into that design and I'm very grateful that the commission we work very well together and also respect each others' views and ideas into this."
There was also a discussion about Mississippians who have said the image of magnolia blossoms or trees reflects the “Old South.” A historian with the department of archives and history said when Mississippi seceded from the Union, its first flag included a magnolia tree. Seven of the flag designs include magnolias.
Cloth copies of the final five designs will be flown at the Old Capitol on August 25. Then, commissioners will select one of them by September 2, to put before voters in November.
