Still, 140 Years Later

One particular cultural battle persists, inexplicably in my opinion, in America these days. Displaying and honoring the confederate flag.

In Illinois, a memorial to confederate soldiers will soon be dedicated. This memorial is at a National Cemetary, where, understandable, the flying of the confederate flag is prohibited. It is allowable, however, to carry the flag in and out during dedications and similar ceremonies.

Organizers rejected the idea of flying the flags of the states of the confederacy instead.

I find the argument unavailing, that the confederate flag is part of US history that deserves honor. It certainly is a part of US history, equal in impact to all others who have sought to destroy or dismantle the United States.

The Confederacy's goal was not to uphold but to absolve itself of the Constitution that it ratified roughly 80 years earlier. The confederacy and symbols of support of the confederacy are as firm a contrast to American Patriotism as one could possibly conceive.