Despite intentions, flying Confederate flag hurtful (LTTE)

[struggle4progress]

... When I see that symbol, I have flashbacks to a time of overt racism. I think of how I felt while attending (segregated) Rosenwald High School in 1964 and U.S. Congress passing the historic Civil Rights Act. I think of the terror perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacy groups in Bay County; they flaunted the Confederate flag as their symbol of rebellion and resistance to racial integration and equality. I can still see that amber-glow of a burning cross on the church grounds of Allen Chapel AME, Lynn Haven.

Since that time, I’ve given serious efforts to live beyond those images. I faithfully served my country (23 years military/combat veteran) raised my kids, paid my taxes and stayed clean with the law, but on Sunday (July 19), I got to see a few of the demons from my past. I saw a parade of many vehicles carrying that infamous symbol of hatred, the rebel flag. As they went to and fro and about the main streets of Bay County, I tried to fathom their purpose.

Perhaps, I thought, they simply wanted to exercise their constitutional rights, their freedom of expression, etc. But, they seemed oblivious to the anguish this “piece of rag” brought to real, honorable people. Because of those who dared to fly this symbol of hate, I got to carry the banner of second-class citizenship until I was nearly a grown man.

To the participants in this sort of event, I only believe that you know not what you do, because: With a common history of hate, bigotry and violence toward innocent people, your part is the same as a Nazis sympathizer wanting to parade the swastika in honor of their relatives who were German soldiers during the Holocaust and to support family heritage. For your next event, try parading this banner: “Let it go. Let it die. Let the wounds heal, for God sake.”

http://www.newsherald.com/article/20150721/OPINION/150729924

[marble falls]

1. Dragging the Dixie rag through a black community is not free speech, its sending a message.