Letters to the Editor

Flag's removal at college lacks courage

Massachusetts' Hampshire College officials said they lowered the United States flag to half-staff to side with students who lowered the flag the day after the presidential election. The officials' actions supposedly were to build student rapport and facilitate discussion on what the flag represents.

Do college officials really believe and want the public to believe that college students don't have any idea of what the United States flag symbolizes? If college students don't know, they need to return to a high school civics class to learn the many meanings the flag holds.

Many of the meanings of the flag are historical and traditional. The flag symbolizes our independence from England on the Fourth of July. The flag symbolizes respect for United States soldiers, veterans and their families, and what they have given up to live in this country under the flag. Many veterans have suffered and still suffer mentally and physically for their part in protecting what Americans hold dear in this country. Flags are draped over the caskets of veterans and former presidents to honor their memory, and then are meticulously folded and given to family members. The flag symbolizes the fearless courage, self-sacrifice and the many lives that have been given to pay for the freedoms we have and abuse in the United States. Some of those include freedom of speech, religion, press, the right to petition government and peaceful assembly. The flag stands for democracy and the Constitution, which guarantees the rights of U.S. citizens and limits the powers of government. Respecting the flag shows patriotism in this imperfect country we have and should love. The flag symbolizes what we as a nation aspire to become.

School spokesman John Courtmanche reported to CNN, "Our goal is to give voice to the range of viewpoints on campus across cultures, and hopefully find common ground." He went on to say, "We've heard from members of our community that, for them and for many in our country, the flag is a powerful symbol of fear they've felt all their lives because they grew up as people of color, never feeling safe. For others, it's a symbol of their highest aspirations for the country." Many people of the community were angered by the actions of the college to take down the stars and stripes.

I am appalled at the college's actions and lack of courage. In this politically correct society people are offended by anything and everything and it seems the first response it to remove, deface or destroy that which offends. Sounds more like cowardice and appeasement to me. I think there are some things in this country, like the American flag, that should remain unmolested because of its true meaning and not someone's perception. John Moore said, "Your opinion is your opinion, your perception is your perception. Do not confuse them with 'facts' and 'truths.'"

As of Nov. 18 the college has decided that no flags would fly over the campus for the time being.

Terry Stewart

Springdale

Editorial on 12/03/2016

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