In a letter published Jan. 26, Justin Ford chastises The Chronicle for denouncing the Confederate flag that currently flies over the South Carolina state capitol as a "banner of racism." According to Ford, the flag "is about heritage, not hate." No doubt most of those who support the flying of the flag would agree. But many other people understand the flag as a symbol of slavery and racism, and this interpretation is equally valid. The interpretation of the flag's supporters is not privileged just because it is "their" flag.
Even assuming no Southerner had ever flown the flag with the intent of supporting slavery or racism, the historical association of the flag with these affronts to human dignity is too prominent to ignore. The Confederate flag was adopted by a nation with the defining lifestyle characteristic of slave-holding. Ford observes that the Confederacy fought to preserve "its economic way of life." Let us not forget that the institution of slavery was one of the foundations upon which this Southern "economic way of life" rested. The association of the rebel flag with slavery is clear, and need not be endured in silence by those whom the flag offends simply because the flag's supporters choose to dismiss this association.
Someone could fly the red and black swastika flag of Nazi Germany, claiming that, far from being a symbol of ethnic hatred and genocide, it represents German nationalism or a particular brand of socialism. But I suspect that Ford would be sympathetic to the claim of Jews, Catholics, blacks, homosexuals and many others, that the Nazi swastika is an offensive symbol. I imagine that if the South Carolina Capitol were flying the swastika flag instead of the stars-and-bars, even the Confederate flag's most ardent defenders might join the boycott.
Scott Michelman
Trinity '00
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