My state of Virginia is considering removing the option of Confederate flags on vanity plates for cars. I see this as a political gesture that would just anger those for whom the flag means nothing but ‘keeping it country’. There are many “offensive” symbols in our country. The question seems to be who shall we offend and who shall we not offend? I completely support removing that flag from official gov’t facilities and grounds because public offices represent all Americans, and not just one cultural group. Would it be appropriate to put a rainbow flag in front of the State Capitol building? Or one of the flags representing a religion? The only flags that should fly in front of a public building is the US Flag, the State flag, and a POW/MIA flag to honor those who make sacrifices to keep our flags flying, whether it be the soldier/sailor, or the families who wait for them when they are gone.I would not put a Confederate Flag on my license plate. I WISH my state offered a New Orleans Saint plate as they do for the Washington Redskins(what’s up with that?) But the flag as a symbol of the Confederacy applies to a very small minority of racist whites who feel marginalized, and a very large number of people who see it as a symbol of hate. There is another group of people for whom the flag means nothing but “Keeping it Country.” Making these people feel marginalized is less likely to change them as it is to make them dig in and become more loyal to the symbol because they will feel, as white people, that they are being attacked and their rights are being taken away.An important step has taken place. Public offices are removing the Confederate flag. People should be grateful for that victory and let time, education, and compassion create a social environment where the flag as a symbol of southern living and the ‘good ol’ boy’ lifestyle fades away by itself. Maybe country music could offer a new symbol?If you censor others, you give others the right to censor you. I’ll close with this… A friend of mine is gay and has recently married her partner of 15 years. A friend of hers received a letter from a neighbor demanding the woman take down the rainbow flag she had on the porch of her home. The woman apparently is collecting signatures for a petition to force the woman to take down the flag by the Homeowners Association. I am wondering if this is the reason why another HA banned displaying ANY flags in their rigid neighborhood. Like the people who won’t give marriage licenses to ANYONE so they don’t have to give them to gay couples, is this HA banning all flags so gay flags or other flags to which they object won’t fly? That isn’t the message I took in when I read the writing of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson.Respectfully,C.
My state of Virginia is considering removing the option of Confederate flags on vanity plates for cars. I see this as a political gesture that would just anger those for whom the flag means nothing but ‘keeping it country’. There are many “offensive” symbols in our country. The question seems to be who shall we offend and who shall we not offend? I completely support removing that flag from official gov’t facilities and grounds because public offices represent all Americans, and not just one cultural group. Would it be appropriate to put a rainbow flag in front of the State Capitol building? Or one of the flags representing a religion? The only flags that should fly in front of a public building is the US Flag, the State flag, and a POW/MIA flag to honor those who make sacrifices to keep our flags flying, whether it be the soldier/sailor, or the families who wait for them when they are gone.I would not put a Confederate Flag on my license plate. I WISH my state offered a New Orleans Saint plate as they do for the Washington Redskins(what’s up with that?) But the flag as a symbol of the Confederacy applies to a very small minority of racist whites who feel marginalized, and a very large number of people who see it as a symbol of hate. There is another group of people for whom the flag means nothing but “Keeping it Country.” Making these people feel marginalized is less likely to change them as it is to make them dig in and become more loyal to the symbol because they will feel, as white people, that they are being attacked and their rights are being taken away.An important step has taken place. Public offices are removing the Confederate flag. People should be grateful for that victory and let time, education, and compassion create a social environment where the flag as a symbol of southern living and the ‘good ol’ boy’ lifestyle fades away by itself. Maybe country music could offer a new symbol?If you censor others, you give others the right to censor you. I’ll close with this… A friend of mine is gay and has recently married her partner of 15 years. A friend of hers received a letter from a neighbor demanding the woman take down the rainbow flag she had on the porch of her home. The woman apparently is collecting signatures for a petition to force the woman to take down the flag by the Homeowners Association. I am wondering if this is the reason why another HA banned displaying ANY flags in their rigid neighborhood. Like the people who won’t give marriage licenses to ANYONE so they don’t have to give them to gay couples, is this HA banning all flags so gay flags or other flags to which they object won’t fly? That isn’t the message I took in when I read the writing of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson.Respectfully,C.