I have been in debates about the Confederate flag with friends of mine since I was in middle school, so I will be brief.
I have had very close friends wear things that had the Confederate flag on them. It hurt my feelings so bad. I couldn’t understand how they could wear something that was so offensive to me. I would never knowingly do or wear something that I knew was a sensitive matter to them. I just couldn’t understand it. I couldn’t understand the lack of respect that I felt I no longer had in or for that friendship.
I can’t explain it. Call me sensitive, but I can’t help that there is a certain nastiness I relate to the Confederate flag. I don’t think every person that likes the flag is racist, but I do think they may lack a certain level of relatability to other people who see it as a symbol of hate, and if nothing else as something offensive and divisive to their personhood.
No need for me to continue on my soapbox, because so many people are saying similar things. But as a Christian, I have read where Paul said he wouldn’t eat food sacrificed to idols, because there are some Christians who are still growing in their faith that find it offensive. So for the sake of keeping them from stumbling he would not eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols even though he knew where he stood with the Lord ( 1 Corinthians 8).
Now, in this “one nation under God” why can’t an offensive flag be removed in support of the Christian brothers and sisters that it offends?
My uncle shared his sentiments yesterday, and I enjoyed it, so here it is:
Although I do agree that we must not lose sight of the fact that a human being shot and killed the 9 people in Charleston. We must also admit that the Confederate flag is a symbol used to show brotherhood and kinship to white supremacy and is embraced by people like Roof which fuels hatred. I grew up in a small town and came face to face with the KKK and this Confederate flag when I was 16 years old. They were holding a rally in my town and had the flag proudly displayed next to the black dog named “NI***R” which they kicked, pushed and choked with a chain. I am pretty sure they were not using the flag to remind me of Apple Pie and warm summer nights in the south. So as you process the thought of removing the flag from government buildings be mindful of how many people have been impacted by those who use it to communicate an unspoken thought of hatred and fear for my personal safety and survival. Why would you want to display something that does that to another human being? Surely we can display OUR Southern Pride another way.