About a month ago, I left for my first experience in the University of Nebraska low residency Master of Fine Arts program. And I have to say, this was one of the best times in my life. For the first time in my life, I was in the right place. Writers talking about writing; writing lectures; readings; even a bookstore. Pure wonderfulness.
And then I came home. Everyone warned that it would take a few days to come down to reality. And that was true. It wasn’t that I had to cook my own meals again (which I prefer to do), or that nobody was cleaning up after me. It was the fact that I had changed, but the rest of the world hadn’t.
I didn’t even really get a readjustment period. I gave a ride to one of the mentors who had been left car-less by unfortunate circumstance. I had brought her to where she wanted to be dropped off, helped unload her stuff, and was just heading out, when what do I see pull up down the block?
A rusted out pickup truck with a Confederate flag stuck on a pole, flapping from the bed.
One of the most hated (and for damn good reason) symbols in the western hemisphere, and these idiots were waving it with pride. And I have to wonder which is worse:
1. Knowing that it is bad, but not knowing why and waving it around in a juvenile attempt to piss people off
or
2. Knowing why it is evil, and waving it because they believe in what it stands for.
Welcome Home, me.
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The symbolism of the Confederate flag has changed so much over the years. And granted while it can mean different things to different people it is widely scene as an acceptable symbol for many different reasons. Here is an article I found that does a great job of reflecting some of the more positive meaning behind it. http://www.btinternet.com/~tony.papard/TheRebelFlag.htm
Until it is no longer used by racists, it will be a racist symbol.