A group of California attorneys may have inadvertently solidified the future of Mississippi’s outdated state flag for years to come.

The Orange County Bar Association recently called for the removal of the Mississippi state flag from a display of U.S. state flags at the Santa Ana Civic Center.

Why?

Because they believe the Confederate battle emblem included in the flag is linked to racism, oppression and violence.

For the most part, Mississippians shouldn’t be too worried about what a small gang of California attorneys thinks.

But Mississippians despise having outsiders criticize the state or its past — particularly its flag.

So we can almost hear the cries of protest now.

“How dare they tell us what to do with our flag!”

“That flag represents our heritage, and it should never be changed.”

Mississippi last attempted to change the flag in 2001 when a statewide referendum failed miserably with only 36 percent of voters supporting change to the flag.

Now the state is the only remaining U.S. state whose flag still contains Confederate vestiges.

We are almost certain the idea that someone from outside pointed out the issue will make the majority of Mississippians hold on to the past.

What’s sad is that both sides are correct.

The flag does symbolize our past.

It’s a past that — at least most logical Mississippians can admit — wasn’t flattering as it was deeply seated in racism.

It’s long past time for Mississippi to move its image into the future, rather than stay mired in the past.