Several years ago I wrote the following editorial in favor of changing the Georgia flag.* This letter generated a great deal of hostile response. I offer it in token of an ongoing struggle for justice.
A few years ago I attended an assembly at the elementary school where my children were attending. At the opening of the assembly everyone stood, placed their right hand over their heart and recited the pledge to the American flag. Then, without missing a beat, I watched and listened as the students pledged their allegiance to the Georgia flag: “I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands – wisdom, justice, and moderation.” I watched as scores of young black children saluted and pledged their allegiance to a flag which bares the symbol of their ancestor’s oppression, a flag which is supposed to stand for justice.
I am a native southerner. My family was among the first to settle the interior of Georgia in the 1790’s. My Georgia ancestors served the United States Army in the War of 1812. They also served the Confederate States Army during the Civil War – some gave their lives. And yes, they were slave owners. This is my heritage.
Many in their attempt to save the present Georgia flag have as their battle cry “Heritage, not hate!” They maintain that the flag is simply a symbol of our rich southern heritage. They are right! They are correct in that the flag is a symbol, and symbols are important. Symbols loudly proclaim our mottos, creeds, and even our character. It is also true that the Georgia flag portrays our heritage. The present Georgia flag with the “stars and bars” portrays a heritage of oppression, hate, and bigotry. The “stars and bars” was carried into battle by southern armies fighting to preserve a society which practiced slavery and oppression. Further, to add insult to injury, they sought to justify this oppression with the words of sacred scripture.
In our century, as the civil rights movement began in earnest, the “stars and bars” again began to fly over our great state as the banner of those who wished to preserve a society that was segregated, bigoted, and unjust. It continues to fly over our state as a symbol of who we are.
This is more than a political issue. This is an issue of character and morality. I am not individually responsible for the bigotry and oppression of my ancestors. However, as a citizen of the state of Georgia, I am responsible if I seek to preserve a symbol of oppression and bigotry. I am responsible when I salute and pledge to a flag that bares the symbol of oppression and injustice.
The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that reconciliation comes to those who repent. Repentance is an admission of guilt accompanied by a turning away from sin. We must acknowledge the social sins of bigotry and oppression and bear forth fruit worthy of repentance. In this case, the symbol of our sinful past must be removed from our state flag. Only then can all of our citizenry begin the process of reconciliation. Only then can the Georgia flag truly be a symbol of “wisdom, justice, and moderation.” Only then can both black and white school children place their hands over their hearts and honorably say, “I pledge to the Georgia flag…”
*January 22, 2001, Thomasville Times Enterprise
