It’s (not) complicated

And yet it is. Thank you for taking the time to write a well researched article that represents the very complexities of the debate.

I am glad for your statement regarding the use of the flag by governments, of any size. This use is hysterical and idiotic given the actual symbolism of the flag. The racist connotations only serve to make it seem truly moronic.

However, I’m not sure I can support the assertion of rights to fly the flag by individuals or private entities. The duality of this premise is at best flawed and at worse – dangerous. Symbols against “a perfect union” should be relegated to museums and history books. Although comparisons to Hitler are hotly debated – I wonder how slavery is so much better than extermination?

It’s unclear how you police t-shirts and other paraphanellia without approaching an equally dangerous situation. Perhaps these are either left to cultural norms or extinguished at the production level (again, dangerous).

But, all public symbols of the confederacy- if not removed- should be annotated to demonstratively explain their context – Stone Mountain in Georgia comes to mind.

Germany can be a guide for how to deal with an unfortunate history.

I think historically proud and romantic visions of the South are misplaced in symbols. As a southerner, I embrace the idea of manners (often perceived as missing in the North) – but, I reject the idea of battle flags and other symbols of the Confederacy.

One only has to think about what it would feel like for a German Jew to commute to work everyday on a motorway named after a famous Nazi general to begin to understand how a black American feels everyday in the south.

I am writing on a phone so I will bring this to a close. However, I would encourage you to re-examine your position on the rights of individuals and states (you mention statues) as appropriate.

I would also encourage you to reexamine some of your arguments, such as the statement that only 3% of southerners owned slaves. In that example, you suggest this is proof of a south against slavery instead of the reality that this statistic is simply a reminder of the concentration of wealth by white land owners.

There is more to say on Dukes of Hazzard, Stalag 17, and Che – but, I will leave that for another time.