Wednesday, February 2, 2001
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Wednesday, February 2, 2001 |
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New flag is good compromise Congratulations to Gov. Roy Barnes and the Georgia General Assembly on their compromise on a new design for the Georgia state flag. It took a lot of courage from those involved to stick their political necks out in order to get the change passed. I have heard civil rights leaders and sons of Confederate veterans alike blast the new flag; therefore, it must be a good compromise. I do not agree with the derision of the Confederate battle flag, but I can accept the change because I am a reasonable man. One thing I cannot accept is the behavior of the NAACP in the state of Virginia. A year or so back, the state was going to erect a little sign on the side of a road in Windsor, Va., honoring the seven Roberts brothers who fought for the Confederacy. Their father had died when the boys were very young and their mother had raised them as a single mother. They became a part of the 16th Virginia Infantry Regiment, Company D, which was also known as the "Isle of Wight Rifle Grays." All of the Roberts brothers were wounded at least once while some were captured and later exchanged. Three surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. They were involved in almost every major engagement of the war. After the war was over, they returned to the Windsor area of Virginia and settled down, married, raised families and became responsible members of the community. They were farmers, tradesmen, merchants, and businessmen. I have a friend who is a descendant of these courageous soldiers and he, as well as many of his relatives, had traveled to the Windsor area for the dedication of this plaque/road sign when the local NAACP chapter jumped in, at the last minute, and threatened protests and boycotts if the ceremony went ahead. Needless to say, the local government decided not to erect the plaque. Bravery and courage should be honored and praised no matter what side it came from or what color the person. Yet, the NAACP refused to allow the bravery of these brothers to be lauded, and they should be ashamed of themselves for their behavior. Now that the flag has been changed, I wonder if the University of Georgia marching band can go back to being called the Dixie Redcoat Marching Band? Will they be allowed to play Dixie again? Dixie is a tune, written by a black man early in the 1800s, yet is considered by the civil rights community to be a racist song. Go figure. Kevin D. Arnold Fayetteville
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