June 27, 2005
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I was reading an article in the paper about race relations in the south
and it got me to thinking. I don’t mean to touch a nerve here (I think
I can safely assume that pretty much, everybody that reads this will
not be offended) but why do they still have that flag? The confederate
flag. The sterotype (and, its pretty true, I might add) is that the
south is the most patriotic part of the country. Then, why do they hold
so dear a flag of the time when they tried breaking away and starting
their own country? In addtion to the fact that it represents not only
the worst time in American history, but also something that is shameful
and filled with injustice: slavery. If the south is so patriotic, then
why can’t they let it go already? Its like a person that remarries, but
refuses to take off the old wedding band. Clearly, this flag causes
more harm then good. Now, I know people in the south like to say its
about pride. But, honestly, how can you be proud of the fact that you
supported slavery. And, you supported breaking away from the rest of
the country, the country that they claim to hold so dear today?I don’t expect southerners to understand or emphasize with the people
this flag so greatly offends, such as myself or blacks. After all,
racism is still very real and prevalent in the south. Not that its
right, but more on that later. But, from a mere patriotic standpoint,
how can they claim to be patriotic, yet salute a flag that is
from…………well, from another country, which is what that flag is.
These same people that say America is the best country in the world and
if you fuck with it, will kick your ass and come down like a ton
of bricks against anybody who doesn’t say America is the best country
in the world are the same people that wanted to leave America and start
their own country. Is it just me, or is that just a tad bit
hypocritical? They damn nearly tore this country apart some 145 years
ago, yet they pretend to be all about the red, white and blue. Well, I
say, if you are so damn patriotic, then tear down that damn flag. It
does not belong in this country.Now, being in America, they certainly have the right to have it up and
salute it. That is where the citizens come in. In this sort of
situation, it can only come down if enough people protest it and put
enough pressure to force change. We live in a country that does give us
the right to believe what ever we want to believe, which is truely a
great thing. But, this awful flag does far more harm than good. Plus,
if they were truely committed to this country, they would remove that
flag forever. This is America, damnit. One flag and one flag only.Southerners still haven’t gotten over the war. I don’t mean the Iraq
war or even Vietnam. No, I mean the damn civil war. Some blacks want
reparations for slavery, and yet, white southerners tell them to “just
get over it.” Well, hows about you take down that flag, and maybe
blacks will “get over it.” After all, they were the victims here, not
you. White southerners refuse to even consider “getting over it.” They
won’t vote for a presidental candidate unless somebody on the ticket is
from the south. Yet, they expect us to just let it go when another KKK
member goes on trial for a murder of a black person from 40 years ago.
This is a murder! And, shit, if you can’t let the damn civil war go,
how can we let these criminals escape justice? 150 years later, and the
feelings and emotions still rage on. Why can’t they just accept it?
They lost. The country, and the world, is by far a better place for it,
not only for blacks, but for whites and all of humanity.Just think if they moved past this and we started working toward unity,
understanding, and acceptance what we as a society could accomplish.
Instead of neighbor fighting neighbor or co-worker taking down
co-worker, we would be working together to make the world a
better place for everybody. Instead of all that time and energy being
focused on hatred and divide, we could focus our resources and hard
work toward building something great. And it all starts with removing a
simple (yet, not so simple) flag and letting old wounds heal.
