There
is currently a massive removal going on of the southern battle flag. I
have thought about this all day and I'm still pondering my final
decision on how I feel about the whole mess.
The debate on the purpose of the flag will go on forever. It will go on
because no matter what, people will find a way to get that flag and
comments will be made by those who see it. There are those who say it is
part of southern history, it is that yes. There are those who will say
that brave men fought under that flag, true.
Was
that flag though, a part of a war that was due to one part of the
country encroaching on and trying to tell another part what, when and
how to do what they've done for years, or was it to protect that right
to keep slaves? Was that flag a symbol of courage or a symbol of racism
and hate?
There are many voices crying out over this issue, from both sides. Both are right, both are wrong.
The
flag is a symbol of southern history, but it was never meant to be a
symbol of hatred. Like other items in the past it has been taken by
groups and individuals who thrive on hate, thrive on violence, thrive on
the very things that tear apart a neighborhood, a region or a country.
The fact, and it is fact, that groups such as the klan took this flag
and turned it into a symbol of something ugly has tarnished its meaning.
I read that the swastika was a symbol of good luck until Hitler used
it. Now no matter what its past was, it will forever be tied to Hitler
and his movements. Now when one sees the swastika they immediately think
one thing, and it isn't good luck. It has been used over and over for
racist, hate filled reasons, and those are what people will always see.
Sadly,
it is the same with the Southern Battle Flag. It will be seen as
someone meant to divide and destroy. It will not be seen as a part of
history but a part of pain. With each hate filled group or individual
that uses the flag to promote their own agenda it only gets worse.
My
personal opinion is that the flag does not need to fly on government
property. Its presence may bring a feel good moment to some, but to
others who see the flag it brings pain and distress. But there is a
problem with removing this flag, what precedent will that set? Are we
not already so deep into political correctness that soon we may drown in
it? It is impossible to not offend someone. No matter what you do, what
you say, how you dress or act or what flag you fly, someone is going to
be offended. If you try to remove or stop all activities that offend,
we will be able to do nothing. We would be trapped in our own homes
because our clothing offends, but then we can't run around naked because
that offends...Muslims are offended by the Christian faith while
Christians are offended by the word that schools are going to begin
teaching children about anal sex and masturbation. Blacks believe they
are profiled by police and middle class whites think they are being
forgotten and abused...
Where, do you draw the line?
At
what point do we turn around and say, while I realize my ___________
offends you, as long as my ______ is not illegal, immoral or indecent, I
have a right to do, say, wear this and you have a right to not look. As
long as my words and actions are not hurting others physically or
emotionally, do I not have the right to speak? Which brings me back to
the flag........our country has a lot of history, good, bad, ugly,
history of strength and of heart. In that history there are a lot of
symbols, removing them from sight, won't change that.
Maybe,
its time we grew up a bit and realized that our strength, our heart,
our spirit really can't be damaged by the sight of a flag, and move on
to more important things.
