Mississippi may not be burning, but trouble still smolders just beneath the surface. Today, 17 Mississippians will walk up the steps of the State Capitol and begin the difficult task of examining a complicated issue — the future of a small, but important, piece of cloth flying outside the window.

Mississippi’s state flag — which incorporates a portion of the Confederate battle flag — has been the subject of debate since it was first used in 1894.

The flag has been blamed for all sorts of things. It’s been said it’s a historic symbol of our past. Others say the flag is a visible, state-sanctioned reminder of a time many people would rather forget.

After decades of empty debate, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove appointed a committee to examine the issue and see what solutions it could find.

The committee begins its discussions this week and will travel around the state offering public hearings to gather citizens’ input.

Our state stands in a doorway.

As the committee begins its work, Mississippians have a choice.

Our first option is to resist change at all costs, fight like crazy for the status quo and turn from the doorway which leads to the future.

Fighting one another, polarizing and making the issue a black and white one will certainly only fan the smoldering flames.

Doing so could potentially rip our state apart. If both sides choose a fight, no one wins.

Alternatively, we can choose to embrace the future, consider change and open up the dialogue between both sides.

Sitting down together and working through the issue and seeking a consensus is the only real way for our state to move into the future.

We need to work together to stamp out all of the smoldering issues that remain in Mississippi’s past.