One responder to my post on the Confederate Flag has asked why, when the “Confederate Flag” (read: Confederate Navy Jack) is “a symbol of racism and oppression for millions of Americans” it should be acceptable for the Confederate flag to be flown when so many people died due to slavery.

If you will read my post, you will see I made no comment as to whether or not this flag or any other should be flown.

I try very hard not to draw conclusions for other people in my blog and in my history curriculum.

I present facts.

I believe that thinking people are able to read facts, form opinions, and make choices of their own. It is not my purpose to persuade anyone of anything except the truth, documented by historical evidence.

Here are a few more facts:

• The Supreme Court has ruled that burning the American flag is a right of free speech.
• The California courts have ruled that residents are free to fly the flag of Mexico (a nation previously conquered in battle) if they choose. It is their right of free speech.
• A Nevada city is currently flying the gay pride flag over their civic buildings. Courts have not decided, but those who raised it deem it their right of free speech.
• So we see precedent for burning or displaying flags being part of American citizens’ First Amendment right of free speech.
• Flags flown or not flown in other countries, over capitols or individually, (ie the Nazi flag) are completely unrelated to flags flown in this country where we have freedom of speech.
• While it is sadly true that there was a great deal of racism and oppression in the American South where the Confederate flag was flown, it is equally true that there was a great deal of racism and oppression in the American Union, where the American flag is currently flown without controversy.

Because we are a free country, I leave it to each person to decide what any given flag represents to them and fly it or take offense at it as they choose.