Incident at an Antique Store

[BettyO]

Amen, Brother Joe!! I totally agree - well done!

No disrespect, Rich - but I too am proud of my Southern heritage like Bill. I'm also proud of my maternal great great grandfather who fought for the South as well as a maternal great great uncle who did likewise. Both survived the war. I'm equally proud of another great great paternal uncle who fought for the North. He didn't survive.

My ancestors fought for that flag and for the constitutionality it represented - it did NOT then or now represent the KKK or any other subversive organization - that mind-set, if you will, was perpetuated upon the flag by subversives who have therefore ruined it's meaning. My ancestors were middle class folk who did not own slaves. They were city dwelling Petersburg and Richmond, VA tobacconists, cobblers and printers on my mother's side and on my dad's side, small farmers and auctioneers - of farm equipment and land. As a matter of fact, four of my original ancestors came over from England in 1692 as indentured servants.

In short, to me - my southern background, including that flag, is my heritage. It's a part of me - who I am. I'm not ashamed of it. It is a part of our history and when history is eradicated or oppressed, something in all of us dies. History is not to be forgotten and pushed aside. People died for what they perceived, right or wrong, as their beliefs and rights as they saw fit. Just because we don't agree with their beliefs today does not make them or us wicked. One hundred and fifty years have passed - I say it's time to lay down the hatchet. Some of my very best friends are and have been Yankees and African American.

It all boils down to one thing - Respect - respect for us, our history and yes, "that flag" as well. We just all need to get along - it's that simple.