Nylon vs. cotton debate shows that flag controversy isn't over

Spartanburg Herald-Journal ^ | Dec. 10, 2001 | Authors Too Afraid To Say His Name

[Church Lady]

Nylon vs. cotton debate shows that flag controversy isn't over

If you thought that the controversy over the Confederate flag had been settled by last year's compromise, you'd better think again. Lawmakers agreed last year to move the flag off the Statehouse dome to the monument to Confederate veterans on the Statehouse grounds. Leaders on both sides agreed at the time to let the issue rest. But it has emerged again. A few lawmakers have taken it upon themselves to substitute a nylon flag for the cotton one that had been used.

You might think this is a minor thing, but you'd be underestimating the strength of feelings on both sides of the issue.

Flag supporters say they made the change because the colors ran too easily on the cotton flag. But flag opponents are angry because the lighter nylon flag rises and flutters in a lighter breeze, so it is much more visible.

Lawmakers are speculating that the move from cotton to nylon could scuttle the compromise and bring up the flag issue once again.

Why is this so important? Why do we waste so much time dealing with a seemingly insignificant matter?

Because the flag represents much more fundamental and significant issues -- issues that affect who we are as a people and the fact that we do not share a common view of our history.

To flag supporters, the debate shows that many fellow South Carolinians do not respect their heritage and their history. In fact, some fellow state residents want to defame and degrade that heritage.

To flag opponents, the debate shows that some South Carolinians have not yet recognized the oppression of black South Carolinians. Some fellow state residents refuse to acknowledge the harm and the evil that the Confederate flag represents to them. And they fear that the veneration of the Confederate flag reveals a desire to return to racial oppression.

Beneath the often angry rhetoric about the flag are very real and important differences about what South Carolina is and how it became what it is. People on both sides are passionate about these ideas because they directly relate to who they and their families are and how they relate to the rest of the state.

We will continue to fight about the flag -- even about such details as the fabric it is made of -- until that division is healed, until we can come to a common understanding of our history and its impact on our present and our future.

[4CJ]

"Has about 20 pages of documentation in the back on the different sources."

You mean some information survived the cultural cleansing? Appreciate the info, and looking forward to the results.

[Jefferson Adams]

Church Lady loves her Rebel flag and ain't gonna hide it for nobody.

Yippee Ky Yay.

[CWRWinger]

If the Confederate Battle Flag goes, next will be the 'candystriped' flag, probably to be replaced by the UN flag.

I support the Confederate Battle Flag as a symbol of the South, of liberty and freedom; and a symbol against tyranny. I look at it as not only a flag of heritage, but a flag of hope for the future. Therefore, it is a modern flag as well as an historic one. Nylon is okay by me, as long as it's not made in communist China.

[stand watie]

the battleflags flown over the SC statehouse are ALL made in Crawford,GA,CSA by Ruffin Flag Co.

for dixie,sw

[stand watie]

according to BLACKS IN BLUE AND GRAY, by Professor H R Blackerby of Tuskeegee University, between 100,000 & 300,000 black men (& not a few black women BTW) served as uniformed CSA soldiers,sailors & marines. by one estimate about 30% of the CSMC was black by 1862.

according to a professor from American University, "almost by accident the rebel army became the first FULLY RACIALLY INTERGRATED modern army".

in the midst of a fight for liberty, skin color,gender,physical handicap,religion or any other similar characteristic becomes irrelevant. good southron soldiers, sailors & marines couldn't have cared less about such things;they just wanted FREEDOM!

for dixie,sw