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Lawrence Journal World
publication of January 28, 2016.
The headline reads - Free State High School student told
Confederate flag not allowed at school.
“School staff see this issue as an educational
opportunity for students and fully understand the
school’s obligation to respect students’ free speech
rights and protect students from racial discrimination
and harassment, as the Confederate flag may be
associated with racism, slavery and violence against
African-Americans,” Doll said in an email.”
Let’s stop for a minute and think about what this
educational institution, Free State High School in
Lawrence, KS, has done.
I always thought that education was about learning. It
would be interesting to give the administration and
teachers at the Free State High School a test to see
what they really know about the War Between the States.
I don’t mean we have to have a thousand word question
test, but we need to determine
if the factual history is being taught to our young
people when it comes to the War Between the States.
A history class should be taught using the truth, facts
and both sides of the story, not emotion and political
correctness.
What is FREE SPEECH – Displaying the Confederate Battle
Flag is an exercise in symbolic free speech. It is
protected by the First Amendment and the United States
Supreme Court says – “To engage in symbolic speech”,
Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989); United States v.
Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 (1990).
Let’s be clear and honest about the topic of slavery.
Slavery in the southern states did happen just like
slavery happened in the northern states. We don’t have
enough space to go into all the details about slavery in
America from 1619 to 1865. Slavery was, is and should
always be wrong. In the early America, slavery was a way
of life. It’s a fact. You had better hurry and go check
your history before it gets changed or erased
by those who would want to have only one side of history
recorded for future generations.
What is wrong with displaying the Confederate Battle
Flag that was used in battle 150 years ago? A flag that
was designed to be used in combat. Not in race
discrimination or harassment. This flag has been
hijacked and misused by so many over the years.
How do you keep someone or an organization from misusing
a flag? The Confederate Battle Flag of the Confederate
Army and the Battle Flag of the Union Army, that was and
is the American flag, over the years have both been
hijacked and misused.
One observation I have is that I see everyone is getting
so emotionally charged by the sight of the Confederate
Battle Flag that over the years and without any defense,
hate speech has been exercised to associate slavery to
this flag. Well guess what folks, both flags were used
in combat 150 years ago during The War Between the
States.
Everyone looks at the American flag of today and sees
only good. Because they have been indoctrinated and
taught that the flag, among other things, represents
good and freedom. Which in today’s world… it is true.
Question: what national flag flew over America from 1619
to 1865? You know, the years of slavery and servitude.
I’m not an expert historian but the factual information
I have found is that the Dutch delivered the first black
slaves to America in 1619. If the Confederate Battle
Flag was only used in combat from 1861 to 1865, what
flag flew over slavery in America from 1619 to 1865?
Another question: if we demand that the Confederate
Battle Flag be banned, which was only used in combat
from 1861 to 1865, shouldn’t we also ban and force
everyone to take down the American flag as well? That
is, if we want to be fair and balanced, or do we just
want to be liberal and be politically correct.
What does it mean to be politically correct?
“conforming to a belief that language and practices
which could offend political sensibilities (as in
matters of sex or race) should be eliminated.”
Another observation and viewpoint: To some, the
Confederate Battle Flag is a symbol of hate and racism.
I suggest that this could only happen because they have
been taught that way by family members and in schools,
plus twisted inflammatory support by the news media, who
in some cases, want to create the news in order to make
money via market share.
To others, the Confederate Battle Flag is a symbol to
honor the Confederate veterans, Black, Indian, Chinese,
Mexican, White and others who volunteered to join the
fight to stop a far superior invading armed force. They
were American veterans.
When I say American Veterans, I am referring to the law
that congress passed.
Public Law 85-425 - [H. R. 358] 72 Stat. 133
"(e) For the purpose of this section, and section 433,
the term 'veteran' includes a person who served in the
military or naval forces of the Confederate States of
America during the Civil War, and the term `active,
military or naval service' includes active service in
such forces."
I suggest that when we see these two flags flying
independently or together, we should rise above the hate
speech and learn from what happened in the struggle for
freedom 150 years ago. This struggle would have happened
sooner or later because we who are alive today know and
understand that slavery is bad, wrong and all the words
that can be used to describe it. But back then it was a
way of life.
How is it the American people can forgive two countries
and their people, Germany and Japan, that we had a war
with and many Americans were enslaved and killed? Then
we honor their military dead by attending to burials
when one of these enemy combatants is found. Aren’t we a
Christian nation of forgiveness? Why can’t we forgive
the Confederate veteran? Why do we insist on keeping the
wound open and never allowed to heal?
In Vietnam and other wars, the Confederate Battle Flag
was displayed and flown proudly because it sent a
message to the enemy that the American veterans will
fight for freedom even if the odds are overwhelmingly
against them -- just like the Confederate soldier and
sailor did during the War Between the States.
When our veterans do the observance of the POW/MIA table
ceremony, it also honors the memory of all American
veterans that are still missing in action. That includes
those who served in the Union Army and Confederate Army
during the War Between the States.
How is it our country cannot get past what happened 150
years ago?
Why is it that in our politically correct society, we
can’t allow a Black family who had an American veteran
family member that served honorably in the Confederate
Army or Navy, the freedom to go to a grave and place a
Confederate Battle Flag next to a tombstone and remember
their family history?
If we stand by and let our society erase our American
history, we will cease to be a nation. Because we will
have no history to pass on to the next generation.
These are the words at the Confederate Memorial in
Arlington Cemetery.
Not for fame or reward
Not for place or for rank
Not lured by ambition
Or goaded by necessity
But in simple
Obedience to duty
As they understood it
These men suffered all
Sacrificed all
Dared all-and died
By Randolph Harrison McKim
LEST WE FORGET
www.battleflagwichita.com
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