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The Confederate Flag In Presidio Park, a few blocks from our house, flies the flags of Spain, Mexico, and the United States. In Monterey, the Custom House Plaza flies these flags and two more: England and Argentina. The heritage of California includes those countries who once laid claim to this territory, including the current sovereign. Most people consider a flag to be a symbol, but it is actually a signal. A signal has value because it transmits information. A symbol transmits nothing, but arouses emotion, and is therefore not only lacking in value, but is potentially dangerous. When the state of Israel was born, a great controversy erupted over its flag. The orthodox Jews objected to the Star of David, citing its symbology, which in the Torah is too close to idolatry. However, the symbolists won. The flag flying on a warship or over an embassy signifies who is sovereign over the vessel or property, nothing more. If it also arouses emotion, fine, but that is not its purpose (with the single important exception of leading warriors into battle). And if a flag does nothing more than arouse emotion, then the symbolism has reached a point of absurdity. The ultimate absurdity is receiving offense at viewing a flag used in protest (e.g., burning) or in display. The Confederate flag is an important symbol in the history of the United States since many Americans died fighting for what it represented. It has its place in our history and heritage, and may appropriately be flown in public parks and battlefields where the Confederacy laid claim. However, the Confederacy no longer exists, and this fact has been settled since 1865. The Confederate flag no longer signifies anything, and its flying over a statehouse is no more appropriate than the Mexican flag flying over the California statehouse in Sacramento (imagine that!) or the Union Jack flying over the U.S. Capitol. If the Confederate flag flying over the South Carolina statehouse is a signal (dominion of the defunct Confederacy), it is vain, and should come down. If it is a symbol, symbolizing defiance, it is an absurdity, and should come down. If it symbolizes heritage, it is demoting the statehouse to the status of a public or amusement park, and should come down. Are there any other reasons? |