Issues Under Fire: Let the Confederate Flag Fly

Issues Under Fire: Let the Confederate Flag Fly 

Despite the uproar over the Confederate flag being flown proudly atop South Carolina government buildings, on lawns of private homes, state license plates and even build-boards, from this observer's position, the Confederate flag should not be forcibly removed. Allow me to explain.

There are pockets of hate and racial intolerance all over this country and we should be thankful those pockets of hate and racial intolerance can be identified. Besides, how else do you get to know precisely who the haters are and where they live, shop, work and play? 

Those who still insist upon flying the Confederate flag in the face of overwhelming contempt for what its come to represent, will never accept the slow but steady changes occurring in the American experience. Some southern families have been stewing in their racial belief systems for centuries and the last bastion of those believers will die fighting, before accepting change.

The fact that the South Carolina legislature has to go into special session to debate the removal of the Confederate flag from government spaces in the 21st century is proof of how deep the southern mindset is ingrained in the heats and souls of racial separatist.

The fact that the KKK is planning a rally this month to support their "flag of Heritage", as well as the recent spat of African American churches being set ablaze in response to national protest should be considered a national disgrace and an international embarrassment in 2015. 

Unfortunately, too few feel disgraced or embarrassed, and for one simple reason. In the minds of some Whites who remain committed to a time long past and praying for the day the Old South shall rise again, their flag represents hope, not hate. The fact that the NAACP has to plan a July 4th protest to try and sway the South Carolina legislature to vote to remove the flag once and for all, is a shameful reminder, of far America still has to go. 

Therefore, rather than forcing the ugly sentiments of the past underground, keeping the Confederate flag flying will expose those sentiments. Wherever the Confederate flag flies, it should be seen as a warning. The Confederate flag lets one know the kind of people one may be in the presence of and the risk one may be taking when engaging them. The Confederate flag is a clear message to people of color, its a good chance there could be major race-related issues to deal with. 

If a pick up truck pulls up behind you with a guy wearing a Confederate flag emblazoned across the front of his cap,  tee shirt or jacket, that should give you a clue. That should make you think. That should make you proceed with caution. 

Bottom line: Although the United States elected its first Black president and witnessed people of color achieve amazing accomplishments, in reality all Americans aren't so happy with Black success stories. Many saw those accomplishment being achieved at their expense. Some White Americans are resentful of upwardly mobile Black people and flying the Confederate flag is just one way of expressing that resentment. Podcast Below!