The local school district here banned the display of the Confederate battle flag on school grounds after a few students who displayed the flag on their trucks (of course trucks) were suspended for threatening black students in one of the high schools.
As you can imagine, the editorials and letters to the editor in the local paper exploded. One of these letters, from an alleged reputable source, I found appalling.
The letter was from the director of the Cape Fear Historical Institute. He claimed that the Confederate flag was not about hatred and implied that the Confederate states were instead quite friendly toward blacks, allowing them to join in the Confederate armies. Oh yeah, they were quite friendly to blacks - bought and sold them like cattle, three-fifths of a person, etc. So let's not try to make that argument.
Another ridiculous thing this guy said was that perhaps those offended by the Confederate flag should do some research. They would presumably learn how hospitable Southerners were to blacks, allowing them to join in their army and all.
I think the school was well within their rights to ban the flag. It was obviously causing a problem and distracting from the learning environment. It's no different than banning cell phones, Bart Simpson t-shirts, or marijuana leaf bandannas.
I'll concede that the flag may represent some part of our past, maybe our ancestors fought under the flag (against our ancestors fighting under another flag). But that's not what the flag is about today.
Today it is about racist rednecks who want to return to the days of slavery, inequality and domination by fear. Of course these same people wrap that in the disguise of "heritage," but everyone knows the real truth.
Instead of the offended doing research on the flag, perhaps we should have the offenders do some research of their own.
Well I have to agree with you in some ways, some. The Confederate flag has no place in a school where it is meant to be safe and equal for all. But the same goes for other religious and national symbols also. If my kids can't pray in school the same should be for all even Muslims, jews or others. No religious clothing pins hats ect.
ReplyDeleteBut as for your statement "Today it is about racist rednecks who want to return to the days of slavery, inequality and domination by fear. Of course these same people wrap that in the disguise of "heritage," but everyone knows the real truth."
That is just your opinion, not a fact. Who are you to determine what the "real truth" is.
Now all racists are rednecks and all rednecks are racist a? That is a racist statement in it's self. So you can decide who is and isn't a racist? Takes one to know one! "these same people" You know those people,,,,,, Who are those people? If that isn't a racist remark.Pooo
You sound like you hate racist rednecks, that makes you a racist,,,,,,Hypocrite.
I can't believe anyone fly's the confederate flag. The war is over, you lost, time to move on.
ReplyDeleteIt is offensive and I'm white. So I can only imagine how an African American feels.
Great post.