As we seem to be driven further apart daily, here in the United States, I am reminded of the 150th anniversary of our Civil War, 2011-2015, when I would blog each Sunday about something related to the Civil War.
I've maintained, more than once in my blog, that we never stopped fighting this war.
I can remember when, in Summerville, South Carolina (a city of about 49,000 about 25 miles from Charleston) a white woman living in a mainly black neighborhood decided to display the Confederate flag. This was back in 2010.
In the view of Annie Caddell, the flag represented respect and remembrance for her ancestors. Her black neighbors, seeing the flag as a symbol of hate and oppression, first signed a petition, and then protested. This rapidly escalated into a "cold" war - neighbors building eight foot high walls inches from their property lines to block their view of the flag, then Ms. Caddell hoisting the flag even higher. Ms. Caddell said she would die before the flag came down.
Eventually there was a truce - the walls, and the flag, remained, although, in 2015, someone shot at her house after a tragic mass shooting near downtown Charleston by a white man inside a black church during a Bible Study class.
But then the woman had a heart attack. The result?
The flag came down earlier this year, replaced by the state flag of South Carolina.
And, recently, the walls were taken down by the neighbors. One hugged Ms. Caddell on camera.
Annie Caddell still refuses to fly the American flag. She feels our country is in deep trouble.
I think few of us would disagree.
I agree that our country is in very big trouble, but I also acknowledge that if we're to return to the path we need to be on, it's patriotism that will get us there.
ReplyDeleteI seen this story on the news and one heart can change
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
Yes, the country is in deep trouble. There are many signs that we have failed to educate a large percentage of the population very well, and the rebel flag controversy is a symbol of that because people who know our history including the rise of the Klan can see that how that flag became a symbol of racism.
ReplyDeleteAlana,
ReplyDeleteThe harsh reality is mankind from nearly the beginning of time has dealt with racism. This is nothing new but everyone seems to think it is and get in such an uproar over the Civil War and all it represents. What people fail to realize is if we don't remember the past then we're doomed to repeated it. It's also a way to honor those who fought the fight for a better way of life. Anyone who feels this way today then shame on you! We're all equal in God's eyes. He made us in His image and loves us everyone. Racism is created by man. Who are we to say, "I'm better than you?" I'm no better than the next person because I'm white. And, who am I to say, "I'm a woman, give me special treatment in the work force." Equality doesn't mean give me the job because I am a woman BUT because I CAN do that job better than anyone else despite sex or race. People totally miss the mark on race and gender around the world and has created such a riff in our society. This will never change as long as hatred remains in the heart and never wanting to move pass the past.
I am reminded of a scene from Psych. The guys are in a museum. Sean asks Gus what's wrong with the framed Confederate flag. Gus's response, "Everything".
ReplyDeleteSo glad the walls came down. In more ways than one!
ReplyDelete