There is no defense for this rag
Nearly a week after an avowed racist gunned down nine African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, Gov. Nikki Haley finally got around to saying that perhaps flying the Confederate flag on the grounds of the state's capitol wasn't such a great idea. And praise from the media poured in. Haley was "bold," "incisive," and "showed leadership," it was a "powerful call," it was a "signature moment," and on and on and on. One question: Did any of them actually listen to what Haley
said?
Haley began by saying that it had been "a very difficult time for our state," before launching into a long list of how great South Carolina and its people are. We learned that they are friendly (actually, the friendliest!), they love God (a lot!) and they are very patriotic (they even fly American flags!). She acknowledged that South Carolina had a "tough history" when it came to race and then—finally—got around to that flag. By singing its praises:
For many people in our state, the flag stands for traditions that are noble. Traditions of history, of heritage, and of ancestry.
The hate filled murderer who massacred our brothers and sisters in Charleston has a sick and twisted view of the flag. In no way does he reflect the people in our state who respect and, in many ways, revere it. Those South Carolinians view the flag as a symbol of respect, integrity, and duty. They also see it as a memorial, a way to honor ancestors who came to the service of their state during time of conflict. That is not hate, nor is it racism.
Wow, that's quite a flag. (If only that
one person hadn't ruined it for everyone else.) But since Haley was being all bold and incisive, it was time for her to address the fact that not everyone reveres that flag:
At the same time, for many others in South Carolina, the flag is a deeply offensive symbol of a brutally oppressive past.
But enough about that. Haley moved on:
As a state we can survive, as we have done, while still being home to both of those viewpoints. We do not need to declare a winner and a loser here.
Well, sure. It's just a difference of opinion.
To be fair, Haley did say that "it’s time to move the flag from the Capitol grounds," although it mostly seemed to be because "people are choosing to use it as a sign of hate" rather than the fact that it is a sign of hate. But the important thing to remember is that the flag will be moved. Maybe even this summer. In the coming weeks. Soon. But whenever it happens, Haley wanted to "make two things very clear":
First, this is South Carolina’s statehouse, it is South Carolina’s historic moment and this will be South Carolina’s decision.
So stop talking about that damned flag and just sing the praises of the bold Nikki Haley.