“In our state, every religious denomination, every business organization, every civil rights organization, college boards-of-trustees and presidents, athletic directors, community leaders and average citizens, have said, remove the Confederate battle flag,” said Charleston Mayor Joe Riley.
Mayor Riley said those words in 2000 after he marched from Charleston to Columbia in the “Get In Step” march he and Mayor Bob Coble organized to encourage the state leaders to align themselves with the majority of South Carolinians, according to Rally Around the Flag, Boys! by Michael K. Prince.
How did our State leaders respond? By moving the flag off the Dome to a much more conspicuous location (at the intersection of two of Columbia’s main thoroughfares) on the Statehouse grounds. Or, as state senator Glenn McConnell has said, “where it probably should have gone in the first place.” (Mr. McConnell and other pro-flag legislators rejected proposals to locate the flag in a less conspicuous spot on the Statehouse grounds near the Wade Hampton statute.)
Our state leaders are still completely out of step with the majority of South Carolinians. The will of the people is even more clear now, after the Republican presidential primaries across the South. Governor Huckabee is winning state after state in the South, where the Confederate flag once flew and flies no more.
Why didn’t Governor Huckabee win here in South Carolina? Why could he not build upon his evangelical base? What did he say that left a clear indication that he was out of step with the majority of South Carolinians?
Oh yeah, I remember. Governor Huckabee indicated that all those who want the Confederate flag down must be coming from outside our state and that those people should be dealt with by sticking a flagpole up their ….
The majority of South Carolinians want it down. We can make our voices heard by telling our state legislators to vote for H-3588. Please call and write your State Representative and your State Senator. And please call and write Governor Sanford. too. Let’s get active and make sure that our voices are heard. Thank you.
21 Comments
February 11, 2008 at 4:41 pm
What caused you to become so passionate about this issue? What event spurred your activism? How do you imagine taking the flag down will change our society here in the state of South Carolina?
The problems that exist with it up will continue to exist with it down. That flag is not preventing anyone from completing high school and grasping the opportunity of an advanced education. That flag is not causing any drug problem that exists within the many groups of our state population. That flag is not instigating the anger that exists in today’s youth, and their lack of respect for authority. That flag is not causing the lack of loving parental guidance to today’s children. That flag is not pushing our society toward the mindset of self entitlement that seems to be growing in prevelance today. These are the problems that must be addressed now. This is what will change lives for the better.
The flag stands beside a monument that memorializes those that gave their lives in a struggle unlike none other that our state has seen. Remember, we too will be judged someday by those in the future. Somehow I think that they will not grade us as being as correct and moral as we believe ourselves to be.
Your belief that the Statehouse is not a “heritage center” is certainly idiotic. Take a walk around the grounds, see the statues, see the stars on the outer walls, read the inscriptions, see the paintings and figures within the inner chambers. After you complete your tour of these cherished state relics, I challenge you to present your idea that the Statehouse and its grounds is not a testament to our heritage. Furthermore, I challenge you to present that argument concerning any other capitol building of the other 49 states, as well as the U.S. Capitol building in D.C.
I value your sense of activism and passion. You only need to act on things that will make a difference to the people of South Carolina.
February 11, 2008 at 6:17 pm
You asked, “What caused you to become so passionate about this issue?”
That’s a good question. First, it’s my interest in being correct — I’m kind of a nerd. Flying the Confederate flag on the Statehouse grounds is incorrect. Second, it’s my interest in justice. Flying the Confederate flag on the Statehouse grounds is wrong. Third, it’s my discovery of how brainwashed (there’s no other word) some people are about the Confederate flag. And fourth, it’s my discovery that there’s actually a bill to take it down, H-3588.
You said, “The flag stands beside a monument that memorializes those that gave their lives in a struggle unlike none other that our state has seen.”
No, the flag FLIES there, where our laws are made, which pretends that the Confederate soldiers won and that our state government is a Confederate government.
You said, “Your belief that the Statehouse is not a ‘heritage center’ is certainly idiotic.”
Absolutely, the Statehouse should honor our state’s history, but it should not be consumed by what some people call “heritage.” With the flag flying, it is a theme park for what some people call “heritage.”
February 12, 2008 at 6:40 am
Also, Cindi Ross Scoppe of The State gave us SC voters this New Years Resolution:
We must acknowledge that we often get the government we deserve. That while we sit around and stew, decisions get made based on the demands of a vocal minority, particularly a moneyed minority. So we resolve to not only expect more but demand more of our state and local governments — and do it in an appropriate way, by telling our elected representatives what we want from them.
http://www.thestate.com/scoppe/story/272499.html
February 12, 2008 at 6:48 am
We should be questioning the passion of those who want to fly the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds. What is their agenda?
I respect the sacrifice and service of South Carolina’s soldiers who fought for the Confederacy. The Confederate Soldiers Monument is a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifice.
Why do some think it’s necessary for the Confederate flag to FLY on the Statehouse grounds, right in the front?
February 12, 2008 at 1:10 pm
It seems as though your action is wholly based on YOUR view that the current placement of the flag is “incorrect, unjustified, and wrong” as you stated in your response. You have nothing to support your argument other than personal feelings and instigative views from those at The State Paper. I’m sorry, but that will not gain you any support on the sidewalk. As I presented in my initial post, but ignored in your response; how will the removal of the Confederate Flag from the Statehouse grounds contribute toward solving the issues that are contaminating our state society? Honestly, I view the monument and flag as nothing more than a tribute to the valor and passion with which people of our state have fought and stood. Should we remove the memorial to those in the Spanish-American War because it offends those of Spanish descent that do not agree with the actions of the U.S. at that time? Should we remove the memorial to those in the Mexican-American War because it may offend those of Mexican descent? I see you as nothing more that one more voice in the crowd of political correctness that is pushing this country staight into the decay that we now slide toward. Many view the Confederate Flag as being a part of our history with which we must recognize in honesty, and not political correctness. Being a South Caroinian by birth and ancestry, I value the zeal and passion with which the people of this state fought with to uphold the virtues that they so cherished. A vast majority of South Carolinians did not fight to preserve slavery, which is a wrong of humanity; and a vast majority of U.S. soldiers did not fight to abolish slavery, but to preserve the union intact. On both side of that struggle that took place so many years ago, there is a conglomeration of those that were right and wrong in there viewpoints. However, there certainly was no war of “good versus evil” as those of your group wish to portray. I question the agenda of anyone, pro or against flying the Conferderate Flag on Statehouse grounds, that has such a personal investment in this issue such as yourself.
February 12, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Yes, let’s recognize in honesty that the Confederate government is dead. Let’s display the flags in a museum. Let’s respect history.
I’m not arguing for moving any monument. I’m not saying anything about slavery. I’m not saying anything about offending people based on where they came from. I’m not saying anything about who fought (or why they fought) in the Civil War.
It’s not political correctness, it’s duh correctness. The Confederate government is dead, and therefore no Confederate flag should FLY where we make our laws. It’s that simple.
February 12, 2008 at 2:37 pm
You asked, “How will the removal of the Confederate Flag from the Statehouse grounds contribute toward solving the issues that are contaminating our state society?”
How am I supposed to know? And are you really working toward solving the issues that are contaminating our society? If so, I’d love to help you. Please tell me what you’re doing so I can help.
The way I see it is, if our state legislature can’t see that flying the Confederate flag is incorrect, then they probably think 2+2=5 or who knows? I have no idea what else they’re doing that’s wrong. I suspect it’s legion.
What do I think will happen? Well, people tell me I’m brave for protesting. That’s because flying the Confederate flag from the place of power invokes fear in the people of South Carolina. I think that taking it down will dramatically reduce that fear.
Oh, and that’s a good thing.
February 12, 2008 at 5:03 pm
And when the Confederate flag comes down, the NAACP boycott will end, and the NCAA restrictions will end.
And Mayor Bob Coble thinks that Columbia will have greater economic progress if the Confederate flag is taken down.
And Steve Spurrier has requested that the Confederate flag be taken down.
And Brad Warthen, and many others in SC, including a group of ministers, have requested that the Confederate flag be taken down.
And, outside of SC, John McCain, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, among many others, all think we should take it down.
There’s only a very few people in SC who want it up, and, your expressed view notwithstanding, those people view the Confederate flag not as a dead part of our history but as a living part of our current state affairs. And that’s why they require that IT FLIES WHERE OUR LAWS ARE MADE, not to honor the past, but to intimidate and suppress the living.
Glenn McConnell won’t put the Confederate flag in a glass case because, he says, “encasement means entombment.” What that means is that he has neither the courage nor the wisdom to declare that the Confederacy is dead. I find that to be quite frightening.
February 12, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Let us have a quick and factual lesson in American History. The flag that is displayed upon the Statehouse grounds is not the flag of the Confederate Government. Rather, it is the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia commanded by Robert E. Lee for a majority of the war. This particular battle flag was used by the men in the field to designate southern troops and regiments while on the battlefield. The Confederate Government used a series of three national flags beginning with what is referred to as the Stars and Bars. The Confederate Government flag never used the Saint Andrews Cross pattern, which is currently being flown upon the Statehouse grounds. The current flag flown by the monument best represents the men that served and died on the battlefield and not the Confederate Government policies. Furthermore, this symbol was hijacked by racists in the 20th century to symbolize white supremacy. This same group hijacked symbols such as the Christian Cross to advance their racist cause. Should we then do away with the Christian Cross as well? Sir, as a Christian myself, it offends me to see the Cross of my Lord used in such a hateful manner. You must learn that hate can exist behind any symbol adopted by any particular group.
The NAACP boycott is a joke upon themselves. Just this past fall, Benedict College hosted out of state teams for the only NCAA sanctioned HBCU bowl game. Furthermore, courts struck down the NCAA boycott based on violations of the interstate commerce laws. I’m sure views of such great and influential people such as Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and Brad Warthen are highly touted in some camps. As stated earlier, leave it up, or take it down. Either way factual history will not be changed. It is when folks personally invest themselves in a issue so trivial as this that impacting issues are ignored.
February 13, 2008 at 7:20 am
You said, “As stated earlier, leave it up, or take it down. Either way factual history will not be changed.”
I am in 100% agreement. I’m not trying to change history. All I’m trying to do is to take down the Confederate flag that’s flying where our state laws are made.
Personal investment is how laws get changed. As I said previously, please tell me what else you are working on for the good of society so I can help.
I see that you are interested in fighting racism. What are you doing? How can I help you?
February 13, 2008 at 10:07 am
[...] About The Majority Want It Down [...]
February 13, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Throughout this exchange of thoughts there has never been a claim that you are trying to change history. I merely wish to present the facts that this so called “majority” is not aware of. The historical views of those people that you use to bolster your cause is historically incorrect. Your argument toward the history, and current use, of the flag in question wholly spring boards off of their thoughts and views that are historically incorrect. The facts that I have previously presented are not intended to diminish your passion for a better society, but to expose the vulnerability of the foundation on which this particular cause is built. It is understood that when a foundation crumbles, so does that which is built upon it. That is the aim of my claim quoted in your response. Factual history will not be changed due to the interpretation of those wishing to advance any agenda; be it racial supremacy or political correctness.
You ask how I am working to promote improvment in our society. As stated earlier, I am a Christian, and for that I do not apologize. Through my faith so graciously given to me by my Creator, I am a part of the greatest agent of change to ever to sweep the faces of this earth. I have been an active member of the church of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have seen the impact first hand made in one’s life at a time when he or she turns to God in times of need; only to place their entire trust in Him. I have seen those who have came to the end of themselves gain the Blessed Assurance that allows them to rise above the trials and pitfalls that surround them. Through Christian faith one can truly forgive, encourage, overcome, strive, advance truth, and have true concern and love for their fellow man. True change happens within each person’s inner circle. We must periodically ask ourself, “Have we lifted someone up today?” By asking this of ourselves, circumstances truly improve within our society one person at a time. Sadly, I must say that no longer seems to be a belief heralded by the “majority” of our society.
Finally, I will present one final series of facts. I ESPECIALLY WANT YOUR RESPONSE to this series regarding your feelings toward uses of current flags throughout the history of our great state of South Carolina. This series leads to another historical fact that the “majority” is not aware of, and it pertains to your cause. Dating back to 1765, the South Carolina State Flag reminds us of its role in the American Revolution and maintains its place in the annals of the Civil War with a design that was formulated as a National banner when the state seceded from the union on December 20, 1860. Components of the current state flag were first seen in 1765, on a banner carried by South Carolina protesters of the Stamp Act. The banner that the protesters hoisted displayed three white crescents on a blue background. Ten years later in 1775, Colonel William Moultrie was asked by the South Carolina Revolutionary Council of Safety to design a banner for the use of South Carolina troops. Colonel Moultrie chose a simple and direct design that displayed the crescent (new moon)on a blue field. The new flag was the same blue color of the soldier’s uniforms and the silver crescent echoed the symbol that the soldiers wore on the front of their caps. Almost 100 years later, South Carolina seceded from the Union it had fought to create. A new banner was needed to fly above the newly created nation. South Carolina needed a national flag after it seceded from the Union on December 20, 1860. The General Assembly considered a wide range of designs, but on January 28, 1861, added the palmetto to Moultrie’s original design, thereby officially creating the flag as we know it today. A Palmetto tree was added and centered on the blue field. The Palmetto, the South Carolina State Tree, had been attributed as instrumental in Colonel Moultrie’s defense of Sullivan’s Island against an attack by British warships in June, 1776. Cannonballs fired at the fort from the British ships could not destroy the walls of the fort which were built of Palmetto logs. Instead, the cannonballs simply sank into the soft, tough Palmetto wood. A resolution proposing changing the color to “royal purple” as a memorial to the Confederate dead was resoundingly defeated in 1899, leaving the flag’s Revolutionary War symbolism intact. The flag that flies over the state of South Carolina today is of the same design that flew over the independent South Carolina during the Civil War.
After this series of events within our history is understood, how does your argument fare? Your argument is not based on the flag being offensive to a particular group of people. You stated earlier, “The Confederate government is dead, and therefore no Confederate flag should FLY where we make our laws.” Do you now protest the Palmetto Flag as well since it was the symbol of the Confederate State Government of South Carolina that existed during the Civil War? Keep in mind the discussion that we had earlier regarding the representation intended for the battle flag upon the Statehouse grounds. Also, that same battle flag is etched upon the monument that stands in memorial.
Sir, I have truly enjoyed this spirited debate. I leave you with one challenge: Fully consider the facts that have been presented within our discussion, and thoroughly research future topics in which you wish to make your voice heard. Maybe then you will be armed for such an endeavor. I question the agenda of anyone that feels the need to publicly aggrandize a trivial issue such as this in the town square; no matter on which side of the argument he or she may stand.
February 13, 2008 at 2:28 pm
The Palmetto Flag is now, and has been for a long time, the official state flag of South Carolina. I like it. The leaders of the South Carolina during the Confederacy did a great job making that flag, and I am glad that our state uses it as our official state flag.
The Palmetto Flag is beautiful, and it represents our current state government. I love South Carolina. May the Palmetto Flag fly forever over our great state!
The Confederate battle flag that flies where our laws are made is not the official state flag, and it should be taken down.
Thank you, sir, for your spirited correspondence.
February 13, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Check mate, sir. Check mate indeed.
February 13, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Thanks. Hey, it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about good discussions and respect for history, and I think you’re the one who said so! I thank you for your correspondence again.
I think you might like H-3588. Have you read it?
http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess117_2007-2008/bills/3588.htm
February 26, 2008 at 1:33 pm
STOP giving in to these people(naacp) all the time.That is their problem,they get whatever they wants.
So be very PROUD of your Heritage,and keep fighting for what is RIGHT”the black race does it”all the time!So what’s good for them should be good for us.
Colorado now,but Homestate of “South Carolina & Proud of it!”
Keep it Flying,
Cecil.
February 26, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Cecil,
It’s about what we South Carolinians want from our government. It’s not about the NAACP. It’s good for people to be proud of their heritage. It’s not good for people to look ridiculous flying a Confederate flag where it shouldn’t be. We South Carolinians want it down, and that’s what we’re going to get. Thanks for your correspondence.
Take it Down from the Statehouse Grounds,
Michael
February 26, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Sorry Mike, but just because you think it’s wrong, doesn’t make it so. You say that a majority of South Carolinians want it down? Doubtful…that’s why it’s still there, that’s why the NAACP boycott is a failure and that is why the NCAA bocott is also failing. Instead of putting all of your effort into this website and asking how you can help others, put your efforts into ways to change the ills that plague SC.
April 5, 2008 at 10:01 am
[...] Carolina. But Bobby Harrell and his Charleston cohort Glenn McConnell have gone too far here. As I have mentioned before, back in 2000, Glenn McConnell and other pro-flag legislators rejected a proposal that would have [...]
June 23, 2008 at 10:29 am
[...] people of South Carolina want the Confederate flag to come down. Our state legislature is out of step with the people of South Carolina on this [...]
October 17, 2008 at 12:06 pm
[...] Steve Spurrier, Joe Darby, Brad Warthen, Frank Wooten, Ron Aiken, etc., etc., etc. (including the majority of South Carolinians) want the Confederate flag to be taken down. During the 1990’s and continuing until today, [...]