Controversy On The Beach
             1
            
             A big issue in the South today has arisen from the confederate battle flag that
            
             was used during the Civil War. Many people argue that the battle flag should fly
            
             across the southern states. In Harrison County, Mississippi there has been
            
             controversy over the issue to continue flying the battle flag. After the state was
            
             awarded to keep its own flag, with the symbol of the confederate flag on it, many angry
            
             citizens in Harrison County want the confederate battle flag to come down. Both sides
            
             present a good argument pertaining the flag issue.
            
             The Eight Flags Beach was originally part of a private theme park that opened
            
             in the late 1960's. The park had always included the confederate battle flag to
            
             represent the era during which Mississippi was part of the Confederacy. Since the
            
             1970's, the display has been debated on and off at many supervisors' meetings. The
            
             flag was initially intended to represent the eight governments that had ruled over
            
             Mississippi since 1699. With that being the case, many citizens from Harrison County
            
             feel that the confederate flag would have to be a legitimate part of the display since
            
             Mississippi was a part of the Confederate States of America.
            
             The issue of heritage was brought in and discussed thoroughly in meetings and
            
             discussions. Some Gulfport residents feel that the confederate flag is a symbol of
            
             ongoing heritage that was brought on from the brave soldiers who fought in the bloody
            
             Civil War. They say that it would dishonor those who lost their life in the war if the
            
             flag were to be brought down.
            
             The residents in favor of keeping the flag say in defense that it is not there to
            
             show any counts of racism. They feel that many minorities want to use the
            
             confederate flag as a way of bringing slavery into the picture. Many residents however
            
             believe that issue ...