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.
Continuedfrompage28
Today the rebel flag together
with confederate monuments
mean white supremacy to
anyone who understands their
background and modern purpose
— even though some may say it
only means tradition to them. And while our First
Amendment provides some protection to individuals who
want to display these symbols of slavery and white
supremacy, they have no place on government property.
These symbols of hate allow racist attitudes to persist
and are impediments to equality and justice.
By removing the rebel flag and confederate
monuments, we will not be able to ignore history, nor
erase the many shameful years of the unfair and illegal
treatment of Blacks and other minorities. Reconciliation
can only be achieved when we appreciate the harm and
intimidation that comes from attempts to perpetrate
symbols of hate and inequality. Symbols that disrespect
some and celebrate a shameful history have no purpose as
we move forward to reconcile and achieve justice for all.
Lawyers have always been leaders — nationally and
in local communities. These symbols celebrate behavior
that was not legal. Let those among us in our noble
profession of the law and justice lead the way to put
away these symbols that limit our progress towards a
more fair, a more just, a more peaceful nation.
For those who want to learn more about history
beyond the flag, there are excellent documentaries on
race relations in Tampa,
available on YouTube as of this
writing. The HCBA-produced
“Before the Law Was Equal” 1
discusses the desegregation of our
legal community. Addressing
Tampa’s Central Avenue (and
more) are the PBS documentary
“Central Avenue Remembered,” 2 and “Tampa
Technique.” 3 On a national level, read Caroline Randall
Williams “You Want a Confederate Monument? My Body
Is a Confederate Monument” in The New York Times,
available online. 4 n
1
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6OEYZD6DTL8
2
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=g-1vsj32zu8
3
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vHZyTGGl3QA
4
https://www.nytimes.com/
2020/06/26/opinion/
confederate-monuments-racism.html
Authors:
Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas –
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court &
Raymond T. (Tom) Elligett – Buell
& Elligett, P.A.
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