Americans stand in wait for the removal of the confederate flag in South Carolina, on July 10, 2015. American Flags and “Take it down” posters are held and waived in support of the flag’s removal.
AP Photo
There has been recent controversy over our Nation’s Confederate flag. Many believe it symbolizes racism and hatred, due to flag’s historical background; while others are simply trying to decide whether or not to support the flag. Above all else, there tends to be a dismissal in controversies pertaining to the Black community, and many would like to know if the confederate flag symbolizes racism and dismisses the hardships of our ancestors.
In support of not only many moving statements, but also the tragedy of the Charleston shooting, at 10 am, on Friday, July 10, the Confederate flag was voted by a number of republicans and democrats to be removed from the South Carolina Statehouse. Many cheered during this moving ceremony. There were many American flags that were waved in support of the movement, while only a small number of confederate flags were present. It is said that the removal of the confederate flag has marked the end of South Carolina’s reminder of racial division. The NAACP applauds South Carolina State for removing the flag that will no longer stand tall to remind America of segregation, discrimination, hatred, and division. Off to the museum, the confederate flag must go.
The dispute pertaining to the true symbolic meaning of the confederate flag has created an issue in South Carolina and raised a debate nationwide. Many have argued that the Confederate flag’s meaning is far different from what it used to be, having attempted to dismiss it as a symbol of hatred and relabeling it as a symbol of pride. However, others insist that the flag is a symbol of racism and bigotry.
While the Confederate flag may symbolize racial pride and the many troops who fought an historical battle, there also lies a deep reminder of the many enslaved victims. It is believed that the Confederate flag gives modern day racist further pride to their unruly beliefs. It is no surprise to say that there are still many who have not dropped the racial mentality that held so many victims in bondage, and there are also many people who derive off of the fact that there are still racial mentalities and even symbols that are currently of existence.
Americans stood in support of the removal of the confederate flag on June 10, holding signs that quoted “A history of oppression is not a history to celebrate.”
AP Photo
Recently, there has been proof of the current existence of race-based, hate crimes. In South Carolina, there was a massacre that resulted in the death of nine African Americans. Six women and three men, including the church’s politically active pastor Reverend Clementa Pinckney, were killed by 21 year–old prime suspect, Dylan Roof. Roof told the victims that he was there to “shoot black people.”
Mourning the loss of the 9 Charleston church victims, outraged citizens show their disgust, remorse and sadness by marching on the Author Rayenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina on June 21. The Charleston Mayor, Riley explains the motive by saying, “The only reason someone would walk into a church and shoot people that were praying is hate.”
The confederate flag for Dylan Roof represented his motive which was “to kill the black people who raped the women of his race,” with that simple symbol, Roof was given further motive for his actions. In this sense, the confederate flag was used to represent nothing but racial hate.
Many confederate flag owners have claimed that the flag is now only used to represent “southern pride,” while others can’t seem to dismiss the evil and vicious background that the flag symbolizes. In a heartfelt and emotional speech to remove the confederate flag from South Carolina Statehouse, State Representative John Lewis, who is the only living speaker from the 1963 march on Washington, says “we need to bring down the flag. The scars and stains of racism are still deeply embedded in every corner of American society.” He makes it a point to tell of the racial degrading reminders that the flag gives. Lewis believes that the flag is allowing hate to be planted into the minds of the people, and he also believes that the flag is teaching kids of every ethnicity that it is okay to be divided, when our nation is to be united. Lewis concludes to say, that he would not like to go back to the times of hatred, and as a country, we cannot.
