On June 17th, a white gunman opened fire in a Charleston church, killing 9 black worshippers, including the church pastor and South Carolina State Senator. This act of terror was carried out by a young man, Dylann Roof, who spared some of the worshippers so they could recant the horrific events committed by him. It was soon discovered after Roof’s arrest that he was, in fact, a white supremacist. And on Roof’s Facebook account, he posed with a number of symbols indicating his beliefs, including the Confederate Battle Flag. This then turned everyone’s attention to the exact same flag, flying high over the South Carolina State Capitol grounds (pictured below).
It came as a surprise that a symbol of hatred, racism, and rebellion could be found so prominently displayed on government grounds. But what was even more shocking was the fact that it had to remain flying because it was a SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LAW. The flag was legally not able to be removed until the state legislature voted in a two-thirds majority to remove it. Thankfully, the flag was voted to be removed this past week and was taken down in a short ceremony on July 10th.
But before the flag was voted to be removed, major retailers (both online and brick-and-mortar) pulled everything and anything off of their shelves that contained the Confederate flag. Bandanas, swim wear, Dukes of Hazzard toys, board games, and of course, the flags themselves. Apple even removed Civil War apps that contained the flag for a short time. Now people are calling for statues of Civil War officers to be removed, monuments to be destroyed, and Army bases that bear the names of Civil War generals to be renamed. This all begs the question, where do we draw the line?
It was a great atrocity to fly the flag of rebels that supported slavery and rebellion on state capitol grounds, but should we strip our nation of its history? No. Army bases named after generals who proved themselves as great strategists during the Civil War are simply being recognized by the Army for their military achievements. Monuments honoring those who gave their lives for the South should remain standing as a reminder of the bloody conflict that consumed the nation. And videogames that contain the flag are purely trying to maintain historical accuracy.
The bases, monuments, and videogames are hardly promoting racism. Some in the South view these symbols and the flag itself as their heritage, while others view it as the symbol of hate. For the record, I totally support removing a flag that represents slavery and rebellion to so many (including myself). Yet trying to erase it and other Confederate symbols from U.S. history is just as wrong as flying the flag on capitol grounds.
The argument that the flag symbolizes the history and culture of the South is one that relies heavily on pathos. Many politicians that support the battle flag use this as their defense, and they attempt to rally supporters around the sense that an entire culture would be lost with the flag’s removal. But KKK members who rally around the battle flag ultimately kill this argument, as well as provide the evidence as to why the flag should be removed from state grounds.
Nicholas Ciatto says
I liked the point you made about how far people are trying to go with removing the flag. I also liked the point about the videogames maintaining historical accuracy,
Eryn Petrakis says
I like how you incorporated your opinion into the piece without being bias. I also thought your use of rhetorical questions was a nice touch. Good job.
cam6505 says
Really good post. I liked the use of rhetorical questions to help get across your point.
Matt Blevins says
Great post, man. You really gave it a journalistic feel by combining details and your own opinions fluidly. Good work.
Matt Blevins says
Great post, man. You really gave it a journalistic feel by combining details and your own opinions fluidly. Good work.