Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Southerners wrongly stereotyped

To the editor,

I am writing in regards to Zack Armstrong's commentary entitled "Confederate Flag insulting to U.S." Mr. Armstrong has obviously spent a good deal of time in the American South, and I am sure that is how he was able to make such fine judgments on the people that live there.

I am Southern born and bred, so according to Armstrong's commentary, I am easily entertained by a "Nascar race on television or a trailer-pull." Actually, I am not interested in either of those - us ladies spend all our time quiltin' and shuckin' corn.

Mr. Armstrong was attempting to comment on the fact that South Carolina still flies the Confederate flag over their state capitol. Yet rather than explaining that many people see the flag as a sign of darker times, he insulted those that hold the flag's principles dear. Mr. Armstrong has merely perpetuated the stereotype that all Southerners are racists. By saying this, Armstrong has shot himself in the foot. In his effort to support racial equality and justice, he has essentially contradicted himself by calling Southerners racists. That does not appear to be a very equal and just opinion of this certain demographic.

The Confederate Navy Jack was adopted by the Confederacy in 1863.

The flag was seen as a symbol of state's rights and is still coveted by the South. Yet too many hate groups have adopted this flag, without permission, and corrupted what it has symbolized. I have no strong feelings as to whether the flag should fly in South Carolina or not. But I do feel strongly that the flag serves as a reminder to the South.

It symbolizes the war which killed too many, broke apart countless families, and changed this nation's history forever. Should we all not be reminded of the cost of life and freedom? The Confederate Navy Jack is a representation of humility and defeat, not hate and racism.

And this representation is, I might add, red, white, and blue. It was Bo and Luke Duke's car, the General Lee, that was orange. I suppose Mr. Armstrong watched more important shows than the "Dukes of Hazzard" during his youth. Damn Yankees.

Kimberly M. Terpe

English and Creative Writing sophomore