When I lived in Alabama there was a
similar controversy (without the tragic killing of 9 people in a church). While
I was debating the issue with a friend he raised several points. His points and
my reactions are below:
1. "The flag is
historic and should remain on the capital as a reminder of our history."
Then states in the East should fly the Union Jack; in the Great Plains should
fly Le Ticolore of France; Florida and the Southwest should fly the Flag of Spain...
Nope, that is no reason to fly the Stars and Bars
(the one that fly over the Alabama capital was the Confederate Naval Battle
Flag) on Government installations.
2. "It is a symbol of Southern
Pride." Not true if you consider the thousands of African Americans and
other minorities who live in the South and find it offensive.
3. "It doesn't cause
any harm." According to whom? I do not have to elaborate on the atrocities
of groups who have adopted the flag as their symbol, chief among them the Ku
Klux Klan.
Put simply, there are many
in America, of varying skin tones, who consider the Confederate flag a symbol
for either racism or treason. It doesn't belong on a Government facility. If
Southerners wish to display it at their homes, in their place of business, in
their pick-up trucks (pardon the "redneck" stereotype illusion) then
by all means do so. The flag should definitely be displayed over Civil War
battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries as a tribute to the fallen soldiers who
gave their lives for the Confederate States of America. If people wish to use
the flag as a personal symbol, no worries. The main issue facing the Southern
States, including South Carolina should focus only on removing the flag from
Government facilities.
No comments:
Post a Comment