The Confederate Flag – Ending the Debate, An Alternate View

Union Jack flying over bangor, Uk / Posted here for irony -- photo credit iker merodio 6/23/2009 Creative commons share license - no changes were made to this image
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ikermerodio/4673992149

 There’s been a lot of talk about the Confederate Flag following the shooting at the historical Emanuel AME church in South Carolina. Following the murders of 9 innocent Americans by Dylann Roof and the subsequent burning of nearly a dozen other black churches in the state, the country has begun to ask a long overdue question: What place, if any does the Confederate Flag and all it represents have in 21st Century America.

     The topics of racism and slavery have been covered widely across the Internet and traditional media, but forget about that for a moment. Because in the long run, it doesn't matter as much as this does.

     The Confederate Flag is a symbol representing The Confederate States of America, which was an entirely different country.  Flying an enemy country’s flag above a government building of its enemy represents one of two possibilities. The first is that the area flying the flag has been conquered by the enemy.  The second is that those flying the enemy’s flag on US territory are showing support for a foreign government. That second one, that is treason.

     How would people react after winning the Revolutionary War to flying the Union Jack above a United States government building? How would people feel if the flag of the USSR was flown above a US state house during the 80’s? Both are foreign countries. The USSR (and present day Russia) have been the enemy of the United States several times in the past.

     Why are they seen differently? Why do we continue to accept displaying and honoring the flag of a foreign enemy nation on our soil especially after that enemy country was defeated? There is no other conclusion to be drawn other than this is, at least in regard to government property, unacceptable.

     The time has come to retire the Confederate Flag to the halls of history and museums where it belongs. We should not be proud of this dark time in our history. We should study it and remember it, but we should stop honoring it. Yes, the Civil War is part of this country's history, but that doesn't mean it's a part that is to be honored.

     The Confederate flag is the symbol of an entirely different country. One that was a declared enemy of and was at war with the United States. Flying the flag of a country that wanted to overthrow this country's government is treason. Simple as that, no valid argument to be made otherwise. Now, that being said, if you want to wear this flag or display it on your property, by all means. First Amendment, free speech. Just don't for a second think that that same protection means you are free from criticism for your actions.