Symbolic Expressions: Should Confederate Flag Be Banned?

Raskin failed to recall that the name of the country the Confederate flag flew over was the Confederate States of America. If he would ban its use, would he also ban the flags of all other republics that were in this country that are in use today, including the state flags of California and Texas? Also the flag he refers to was never the national flag of the Confederacy but only a banner flown on the field of battle.

As to the reference of it representing a burning American flag, that is absurd; it is a St. Andrew’s cross with 13 stars representing the states of its nation.

Raskin’s statement about armed rebellion and treason is incorrect; the states simply seceded, as was their right at the time, and were forced to defend that right and defend their homeland.

Raskin’s attempt to perpetuate the myth that the Confederate states fought for slavery is an injustice coming from a man with his knowledge of the law. The Confederacy fought for the right of the states to govern themselves, as the Supreme Court has ruled in many cases.

Raskin also forgets that many of the leaders of that short-lived nation went on to serve the reunited country as senators, congressmen and even on the Supreme Court.

It is because of rash statements such as Raskin’s that this flag is misused by bigots and misguided radicals, and wrongly thought to represent slavery by many, when in fact it represents freedom, pride, and our right to defend that freedom.

CHARLES S. WHITEHALL

Santa Clarita