If I had a
dollar for every time I saw a Facebook post that made me angry, I could afford
to get guac on my burritos when I go to chipotle because I would be
considerably well off. I have quite the diverse range of Facebook friends, so I
see a diverse range of opinions in my Newsfeed. Usually, I just ignore people
and let them be. However, this time I just got so heated I had to write out a
few things in order to vent, and it’s turned into a blog post.
I’ll get
right to the point. I have noticed that there are a lot of people who are upset
about the confederate flag being removed. A few southern states have already removed
them from their state grounds, and more states may follow their example. Some stores
like wal mart have decided to stop selling confederate flag merchandise. And
because of these decisions, some folks in the south feel like their “history is
being taken from them.”
I have no
idea where to even begin addressing this. Let’s just try to break it all down
and see if we can get at the heart of what is upsetting people. The confederate
flag is a symbol. Indeed, it represents a particular history, a particular
experience, a particular culture. It is a symbol of Southern pride—but only for
some people. The key point that those who are so desperately clinging to this
flag while simultaneously proclaiming “I’m not a racist!” seem to be missing is
that that flag means something completely different to black Americans. For
them, it is also a symbol. It also represents a particular history, experience,
and culture, but it is NOT a source of pride.
That flag
has been the icon of black oppression since the civil war. It is an icon of
hate. It is a symbol that creates division. Our country is in desperate need of
racial healing, and clinging to the confederate flag for the sake of preserving
your history sends a message to your neighbors that their history and
experience is less important than yours. After all, what are you really trying
to preserve? What does the flag really represent? It represents a tradition of
hierarchy where whites hold all the power and blacks are treated as
second-class citizens, or worse. The confederate flag reminds us of who has
held the power all throughout US history, and now this refusal to let it go is
further evidence that our modern day situation has not improved much. White
Americans still have the upper hand, and that hand is a clenched fist wrapped
around a confederate flag.
If we truly
want to move forward as a nation, if we truly seek equality, then those in
power have to be willing to surrender this false sense of entitlement. Change
cannot happen without making sacrifices, and at this point I’m talking about
more than just a stupid flag. We need humility, grace, and mercy. We need to
acknowledge the hurting that is going on in our very own communities.
It is easy
to dismiss events like the tragedy in Charleston because we can tell ourselves
that it was just the extreme actions of a terrorist. But the ugly truth is that
our complacency as a nation to the plight of the black community has contributed
to a culture of hate that allows such events to take place. Nine black
Americans--our brothers and sisters--were gunned down in a church. Nine innocent people were violently murdered simply for
being black, and yet YOU are the ones who feel threatened?
Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.
