Please read this before responding.
In the wake of last week's terrorist attack in a symbolic South Carolina church, a renewed effort is underway across the nation to remove symbols and endorsements of the Confederate States' ideals from public areas, and raise awareness of the divisive culture those symbols can engender in non-public areas as well. Governors from several states have already pushed to remove battle flag references from state flags, license plates, and capitol grounds, and move these pieces of our history to museums so that the injustices they represented should never be forgotten.
This week, we should acknowledge that our own courthouse in Walton County Florida flies a confederate flag on its grounds.
People hold many interpretations of what the flag means to them, but the people who established the flag and secession were very clear in stating its official meaning.
From the vice president 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.” - The “Corner Stone” Speech
We can disagree with the confederate founders if we'd like. But the least we can do is acknowledge that the declared meaning of the flag is deeply offensive to many people. One can be very proud of southern traditions while acknowledging the pain this particular symbol inflicts on many.
We don't need to change our opinion, we just need to have empathy.
This week the New York Times published a study showing that the greatest terrorist threat to our country right now is homegrown anti-government extremists, many of which are encouraged by the ideals that this flag officially represents. Flying it at our courthouse as if we still support it can justify these groups' thoughts. It can make them feel less extreme than they really are.
A Call To Action: Ask to take the flag down.
As citizens of this beautiful county, we should call on our leaders to lower the confederate flag. It's a small step, but it's a step that shows we do not endorse a culture that can lead people to the extremes experienced last week.
It's true: the timing of this is opportunistic. After these events, we typically do nothing but agree that none of us would do what this man did. We can do more though. This is an opportunity to say we want to promote social change, and do what we can to discourage white supremacist culture.
Sign the petition.
https://www.change.org/p/walton-cou...derate-flag-from-the-walton-county-courthouse
Ask for this item to be added to an upcoming committee meeting agenda. http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=112
In the wake of last week's terrorist attack in a symbolic South Carolina church, a renewed effort is underway across the nation to remove symbols and endorsements of the Confederate States' ideals from public areas, and raise awareness of the divisive culture those symbols can engender in non-public areas as well. Governors from several states have already pushed to remove battle flag references from state flags, license plates, and capitol grounds, and move these pieces of our history to museums so that the injustices they represented should never be forgotten.
This week, we should acknowledge that our own courthouse in Walton County Florida flies a confederate flag on its grounds.
People hold many interpretations of what the flag means to them, but the people who established the flag and secession were very clear in stating its official meaning.
From the vice president 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.” - The “Corner Stone” Speech
We can disagree with the confederate founders if we'd like. But the least we can do is acknowledge that the declared meaning of the flag is deeply offensive to many people. One can be very proud of southern traditions while acknowledging the pain this particular symbol inflicts on many.
We don't need to change our opinion, we just need to have empathy.
This week the New York Times published a study showing that the greatest terrorist threat to our country right now is homegrown anti-government extremists, many of which are encouraged by the ideals that this flag officially represents. Flying it at our courthouse as if we still support it can justify these groups' thoughts. It can make them feel less extreme than they really are.
A Call To Action: Ask to take the flag down.
As citizens of this beautiful county, we should call on our leaders to lower the confederate flag. It's a small step, but it's a step that shows we do not endorse a culture that can lead people to the extremes experienced last week.
It's true: the timing of this is opportunistic. After these events, we typically do nothing but agree that none of us would do what this man did. We can do more though. This is an opportunity to say we want to promote social change, and do what we can to discourage white supremacist culture.
Sign the petition.
https://www.change.org/p/walton-cou...derate-flag-from-the-walton-county-courthouse
Ask for this item to be added to an upcoming committee meeting agenda. http://www.co.walton.fl.us/Index.aspx?NID=112
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