Copa Style Magazine's News Analyst Harold Hayley returns with historical information about the 'Confederate Flag.' 

Harold Hayley

A Flag's History

By Harold Hayley

I as well as countless others of all color hues have long been aware that flags take on different meanings for various reasons. These articles of cloth that have represented everything from the white flag which is symbol of an unarmed negotiation to surrender, to a flying of the United States flag upside down which signals distress. However in the case of the flag that has been flown over the state house in Charleston, SC. it’s references are many. While it is not the flag of the Confederacy (it is the battle flag of Virginia home of the second capital of the Confederacy) it represents to many an era of suppression and terror that was carried out by a terrorist group and still is to this date. This flag represents to many what the swastika represents to another culture. (The swastika by German law is outlawed.) However with that said let us look at the real history of this symbol of racial hatred. Its designer said about its origin. William T. Thompson claims to be the originator of the flag and is quoted as saying this” As a people we are fighting to maintain The Heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race a white flag would thus be emblematical of our cause Such a flag…would soon take rank among the proudest ensigns of the nation, and be hailed by the civilized world as THE WHITE MAN’S FLAG As a national emblem it (the Confederate Flag) is significant of our higher cause, the cause of a superior race, and a higher civilization contending against ignorance, infidelity, and barbarism. Another merit in the new flag is that is bears no resemblance to the infamous banner of the Yankee vandals.”

To begin to understand the way this flag is allowed to fly over the state capital one should do a narrative. In 1961 legislators passed a bill allowing it to be flown to celebrate the Civil War Centennial ironically it was also the onset of the civil rights movement. The bill to allow this was never sun set for some reason. I would venture to say that this was not the will of a part of their constituency. Or perhaps it was.

Understand that no one is advocating that this flag is not a part of the history of an emerging nation. However it belongs in a museum not on public display on a building that is supported by tax payer’s funds. The removal of this flag will not end racism by any means. Only through education and tolerance will this climate change. This is a symbol of oppression and hatred that should and has to be removed. I would close by saying this “who controls the history controls your vision.”  

~Copa