Wednesday, March 5, 2003

Thank you, Mr. Hamilton, for that really fine article you wrote regarding the Confederate flag. All of us "Southern hicks," as you stated, are thrilled to read an article so well-written by an African-American that doesn't include one "you know" or "know what I'm saying."

You clearly noted that your shoes cost more than a 1987 Ford Ranger, that you lived in North Fayette County and that you are a sociology major at Georgia State. I'm proud of you furthering your education, but strongly suggest to take a course in shoe buying.

After reading your article, I feel a lot of hate is in your heart. I understand and agree with you the slavery symbol [the flag] represents. This was a dark time in Southern history that we as Southerners will live with forever.

I was 16 when the flag was changed in 1956 and know the reasons why. I remember my father and grandfather saying the change was handled wrong then just as it was [recently]. This is something the citizens have the right to vote for or against.

In 1956, I doubt the flag would have changed if voted on then. In 2001, Gov. Barnes folded like a used condom when a group of black extortionists led by Tyrone Brooks, Joseph Lowery, Billy McKinney, and his daughter Cynthia and a group of black clergy threatened a state boycott if the flag wasn't changed. I always hate to be threatened, don't you? Well, you know the results and that is why Barnes was voted out of office. I personally like the pre-1956 flag.

Don't come South and call us "hicks"; you can always go back to Detroit. Don't use the term, "you flag people," so many times (10) in an article if you are so concerned about the flag issue and separating the races. You have already accomplished that by referring to yourself as African-American. Why not say, "I am an American of African descent" and then maybe we can all pull the rope in the same direction.

Jim Futral

Fayetteville