re: Why Ole Miss had to replace Col Reb (long)

I found the OP to be a thoughtful explanation. I revile Ole Miss athletics but have the capability to be fair, and realize that Ole Miss like anywhere has fine people .

But, as someone who was educated with Mississippi's self-appointed elite (boarding school) and has lived for three years of my life in that state (business in Jackson), let me say that racism/elitism are intrinsic to the Ole Miss persona precisely because so many "Rebs" are still ridiculously insular and casually racist. It is the specific disease of the State of Mississippi and I don't see it going away any time soon. Although it is undeniable that it is improving.

I think the forced retirement of Colonel Reb was a historical inevitability, as he is a vestige of a mindset that is contrary to human progress. But he will die hard.