It makes me feel good to say things that are true. If people get uncomfortable after hearing the truth, that’s even better. Let’s spread some truth about the Confederate flag issue.
We’ve got a Big Board on the way out because… “These seven things I KNOW are true”.
- “The Confederate Flag controversy is embarrassing to Danville’s image and reputation.” – Danville’s recent publicized struggle against governmental red tape to get construction permits for the Berry Hill MegaPark was in the regional news and has been picked up by national news outlets. Screw that, now. We’re the city that is still flying the Confederate flag on government property and there is a strong divide between flag supporters & opponents. Even worse, this is now the second time in less than a year that the issue has started to boil over. In today’s world of economic development, image factors in a lot. I’m not saying that companies have not chosen to locate in Danville because of the flag issue, but any company’s due diligence will easily discover the flag controversy and how deep the divide is. It may not hurt the economic development process, but it sure doesn’t help it.
- “The flag opponents’ position should be weakened because the flag in question is not the well-known Confederate battle flag.” – The flag on the monument is the Third National Flag of the Confederacy and was only adopted in the end days of the Confederacy. It’s not the “Stars And Bars” and I can’t remember when this specific flag has ever been corrupted by any hate-mongering group. There’s been a few logical and rational people on the supporters’ side who have attempted to point that out as they stress the “history” side of the issue, but those logical and rational people have been drowned out by the rest of the flag supporters. As for the flag opponents? None of them has even acknowledged the difference between the flags… and they’re not going to talk about that because they know that would weaken their argument.
- “Danville’s Confederate flag issue is about one specific thing… “Should the Confederate flag fly on government-owned property or not?” – If your position on the issue includes the phrase “If ____ happens, what will happen next?”, you’re using a slippery slope logical fallacy and your argument quickly starts to fall apart. By the way, that goes for both sides. This isn’t “Cultural Genocide”, it’s “Should the Confederate flag fly on government-owned property or not?” Nothing more than that, people. I will always support and defend anyone’s ability to fly whatever flag you want on your own private property, so don’t even start with the “First, they came after the _____s.” litany.
- “I’m ashamed of people who fail to respect others’ right to protest peacefully.” – As long as you play by the rules and follow the laws, the right to express your opinion should be respected by everybody. Personally, I’ve written articles mocking and condemning the basis of some protests here in Danville (like “Robert Hurt is trying to eliminate Social Security” type of stuff), but I’ve never condemned the right of the people to take a stupid opinion and tell others about it. I never will. If you’re peaceful, calm and rational, you deserve the chance to have your viewpoint heard. And that’s even if your viewpoint is asinine. Heh.
- “Both sides of the flag arguments lose their credibility when the most rabid members spout their insanity.” – No, black people aren’t going to be in trouble if Buddy Rawley or Lee Vogler get re-elected. No, Danville won’t lose most of their tourism money (of what little they’re getting now) if the flag is put into the museum. If the flag supporters were solely represented by Steve Adkins and the flag opponents were solely represented by Barry Koplen, both sides of the debate would be one hell of a lot more credible instantly.
- “Larry Campbell has not been physically threatened.” – Larry Campbell is the Grand Champion of the “Words Have Meanings” game. At the last Danville City Council meeting, Campbell took the floor to talk about a potential “doxxing” threat against him and two other people. I talked with the state police and then published an analysis of what the threat actually was. There was no physical threat at all. Campbell has gone on record saying he’s concerned about his & his family’s safety but when you read that carefully, you’ll see that’s a very generic statement. I’m always concerned about my & my family’s safety, and so is everybody else. No other media source has asked Campbell directly about any physical threats and sadly, people just assume that physical threats were made. Folks, there’s a reason that Larry Campbell doesn’t have a police security detail following him around. Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say.
Whew. That’s enough for now. Oh yeah, “I’m finished with this article.” That completes the seven things that I KNOW are true.
The flag currently flying incorporates the incredibly offensive and co-opted by racists during the middle of the 20th century Southern Cross. The fight is one over what message is sent by flying a flag that includes that symbol. The swastika has a 3,000 year history. We all agree what it stands for in the context of our times. We are in the middle of trying to do that with the Southern Cross now. I’ll say what I have long said — if the heritage not hate crowd rallied behind the Stars and Bars or the Bonnie Blue Flag instead of one with the Southern Cross, they’d gain a lot more currency with me. For a short lived movement, the CSA sure did use a bunch of flags. Pick one that the KKK didn’t also pick as a focal point if you want to celebrate the heritage.
Sorry Lee, but that will not work. Uneducated people from all over do not know the difference in the Stars and Bars and the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, or the Third National flag. Many uneducated folks use “Stars and Bars” to describe ANY flag used by the CSA. A large percentage of flag opponents are uneducated on this subject, including local city council.
When I lived in Georgia, a coworker had a front license plate that was the Bonnie Blue Flag. It worked exceptionally well with his heritage, not hate position. When some of our other coworkers who happened to be black asked him hey we have been wondering what that is, he explained it and they thought it was really cool he had found a way of saluting his own heritage without sending to them the signal that he was saluting the people who tried to keep the schools segregated and the bathrooms separated. It’s about doing what is reasonable to separate yourself from a legacy of hate that associated itself with the Southern Cross decades ago. I believe that when there is a civil war, it is appropriate for the nation to permit the legacy of the losing side to be recognized. There is room for heritage. I actually have a collection of photographs from Civil War memorials and love finding new ones to add. My own heritage is one of secession from the CSA as a West Virginian, but I think the history is fascinating.
I consider myself educated, yet I had to look up some reference material for this article.
If you don’t see the difference in Germany and the swastika and the civil war in the us and the flag flying at the museum in danville, then no amount of explaning will get you to understand.
The difference in the dimension I mentioned is that we defined the swastika decades ago and we’re in the process of breaking this logjam about the Southern Cross now. It’s like the cross. It was around before Jesus, but it is a symbol of Christianity at this point. The Southern Cross is about to ascend to its rightful place as a symbol of hate. Get on board or get dragged by the train.
You had permanent damage when you were dragged by the train.
I think you got that backwards “fortheflag”…
If you cant see the SIMILARITIES between the Nazi flag and the Confederate Flag….then probably no amount of explaining can get you to understand….
both have come to represent white supremacy….
There is no similarity of the csa to the atrocities by the nazi regime. How many mass killings, mass graves did the confederacy commit? White supremacy is a feeling you may have, not i. I do not feel white supremacy. I see the nazi atrocities.
The flag does not represent white supremacy. You create white supremacy.
I’m not sure how you could miss that both the Nazi Germany and the Confederacy were governments both based on white supremacy.
straight from the VP of the confederacy…”…Our new government is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner- stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery subordination to the superior race is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth. ”
we should be ashamed of this history…not proud of it….
You would feel different if you spoke German and had blonde hair and blue eyes.
lucky for you I have blond hair, blue eyes and have German in my lineage!
I was also born in the South.
Both Nazi Germany and The Confederacy were based on white supremacy….
not my words, but their own.
If you can’t remember then it must be true. If you believe it to be truth, well, then it must be, Right? Must be something to be all knowing!
Like that catchphrase from an old TV commercial, “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful.” Heh.
someone sounds bitter!