No denying meaning of Confederate flag
10/9/2015, 9:11 p.m.
I am baffled over the continued debate on whether the Confederate flag represents hatred or heritage.
The rebel flag was flapping in the breeze when Confederate fighting men ran wagons over wounded black soldiers during the Battle of Poison Spring in Quachita County, Ark. in April 1864. And it has motivated others, such as the coward who gunned down nine black church members in Charleston, S.C., in June.
It’s not coincidental that hate groups use the “Stars and Bars” as a backdrop to remind us that this offensive symbol is the new whip and has been proudly displayed during acts of domestic terrorism. Had it not been a rebellion against ending slavery, the Confederate States of America. would not have existed. The Southern states seceded, but many northerners cast their lot with the Confederacy, so this ideology expanded beyond the Mason-Dixon line.
Now these faithfuls are trying to white-wash its racist concept and play the victim role, while simultaneously recruiting sympathizers.
Today’s confederates are the same as their ancestors — a band of ragamuffins bitter over the failure to win the Civil War.
So, let’s stop pretending this is controversial and call these ambassadors what they are — bigots.
BARNEY LOMAX
Charles City
