Flags evidently hurt feelings these days. The Confederate Flag is receiving more flak recently for reasons that some believe to be just, while others think differently. I find myself stuck in an awkward gray area where I feel for both sides of the debate. 

The Confederate Flag has a bad rep. Any who claim that all those who fly the flag are racist seem to be over-exaggerating. Sure, there are the bunch that spout racism and hate while claiming to only be demonstrating their “Southern Pride.” There are also many southerners who feel the need to show off the fact they live below the Mason-Dixon Line and a flag seems like a logical way of doing so. When it comes to those who fly the Confederate Flag, the actions of some rotten apples give the rest a negative image. 

As a non-Caucasian male, I can firsthand tell you that racism is a very real thing in South Louisiana. With all the riots that have happened in this country over the past year, racism is one outdated idea that just doesn’t have room in today’s society. The fact that there are still people out there that believe one person is better than the other is an embarrassment to the human race. Racism is a faulty theory, much like how taking down a flag will cure the disease that is racism. 

I want to rid this nation of racism as much as the next guy, but I don’t quite see how banning a flag will do so. Although I have never flown the Confederate Flag myself, I must come to the defense of those who have because of my appreciation for the freedom of expression. Without that freedom, I wouldn’t even be here writing this opinion. Taking the flag away almost seems like a way of egging on those who have turned the Confederate Flag into an icon of oppression to many. 

In recent weeks there has been a trend among retailers to remove the flag from their businesses. Walmart and Amazon are two that come to mind who have tried to further themselves from the symbol; Amazon putting an end to its sale of the flag just seems pointless to me. It is the internet for goodness sake. For every one website that stops selling the Confederate Flag, there will be a dozen more that put it on sale. 

I find it easy to choose a side on most opinion pieces that come through this publication, but this go round was an exception. There is a popular book out there that states we “shall love thy neighbor as yourself.” Love those who are flying the Confederate Flag and love those who are offended by it.