Removing the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse grounds was long overdue and most appropriate. This flag was a battle flag for the Confederate soldiers in their quest to secede from the Union. Their goal was unsuccessful, but nonetheless, this flag flew alongside the United States flag on state property for all these years. While this flag holds historical value, why was it flying on statehouse grounds? What was it really representing? A failed attempt at secession? A divided nation? A symbol that stood for a state's right to have slaves? The Confederate flag may have initiated as a battle flag for the Confederacy, but it has been used as a symbol of divisiveness, hate, and racism. It is almost impossible to picture the Klu Klux Klan without one of its members proudly holding this flag, or images across the old Jim Crow south with this flag in truck windows, store windows, front yards, etc. I believe in freedom of speech, so as much as I find it distasteful to be displayed, I must respect an individual's right to display it. However when it comes to government property, that is a completely different issue. Our country has one flag, the Stars and Stripes, to represent the United States of America. My hope is that all states, who have chosen to incorporate some aspect of the Confederate flag in their state flag, will re-evaluate the message they are conveying to represent their state. As state governments continue to hold onto these symbols, they send a message that they honor and revere the symbol of divisiveness and rebellion. Nine people had to be killed in order for this flag to finally be taken down. Will this be any consolation to their family and friends? Was this the price that had to be paid for people to seriously take up this issue? If the answer is yes, how many more lives must be lost in order for our country to deal honestly with issues about race and racism?
Camille Taylor
Not In Our Town: Bloomington/Normal