Incident at an Antique Store

[Craig Hipkins]

Wow! Interesting discussion here, even if it is a little heated. I moved south to North Carolina many years ago after serving in the Marine Corps. I grew up in Massachusetts and had no idea that I had a thick New England accent until the Drill Instructors at Parris Island informed me of it!!!! While growing up in Massachusetts I recall some of the kids in my high school (native New Englanders ) wearing Confederate tee-shirts and flying the Stars and Bars on the back of their pick up trucks. These kids had no idea what the history of that flag was, or what it originally represented. Sure, they knew of its Civil War history, but were ignorant of the causes of that conflict, and frankly they probably could have cared less. They flew it because to them it represented a certain freedom from Authority. A few years ago I was in London and met a cabbie who was wearing a stars and bars skull cap and tee shirt. It was kind of funny to hear this guy talk with a thick cockney accent dressed in this manner.
I mention these things only to make people aware that the rebel flag has taken on a meaning that transcends its original one.
As a native New Englander I am in know way offended by people who fly that flag. To each his own.... That being said, I can see why people of African heritage, and others, might take offence as to its prominent display above certain State Capitols. It should not be here. The National Flag and State Flag should be the only flags flying here. Maybe a Marine Corps flag also!!!!!

Craig