S P E C I A L F E A T U R E
Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas – Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court & Raymond T. (Tom) Elligett – Buell & Elligett, P.A.
race,reconciliation,
anda“rebel”Flag
letthoseamongusinournoble
profession ofthelawandjustice
leadthewaytoputawaythese
symbolsthatlimitourprogress
towardsamorefair,amorejust,
amorepeacefulnation.
Since we co-authored an article in 2000 on the
song “Dixie” being played at public events,
there have been some changes. But recent
deaths and the ensuing civil rights protests
remind us that much work remains to be
done by us as individuals, communities, and as a nation
to finally achieve racial equality and justice — to truly
reconcile race relations. To achieve racial equality and
justice, Americans must consider and address how
cultural symbols (statutes, monuments, and flags) that
are displayed by our governments, and individuals,
impact others.
The commonly displayed “Confederate” flag was not
the flag of the Confederacy during the Civil War. It is a
variant of the flag of Northern Virginia, and had a
resurgence after WWII, when some southern politicians
opposing Harry Truman’s civil rights agenda promoted
the flag as a symbol (sometimes referred to as the “lost
cause”) of segregation and racial oppression. Many
confederate monuments were also constructed long after
the Civil War, to intimidate Blacks and to promote
segregation and racial oppression.
Thus, this “modern rebel flag” and some confederate
monuments were not created merely to honor relatives
(who fought for the Confederacy against the United
States), but rather were advanced as a symbol of the days
of white supremacy, segregation and racial oppression;
and to threaten and intimidate Blacks and other people
of color.
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