June 21, 2011
Confederate flag generates hate
The anger at showing the Confederate flag as a ceremonial symbol can only be understood by the display of similar symbols of history.
Being of Jewish lineage, I can’t imagine abiding the unfurling of the Nazi flag. I could become violent at the display. I experienced firsthand the deaths of both Americans and Germans during World War II and I realize that somehow the German deaths were justified just as the Americans’ were.
But I can’t. When questioned, the German Burgomeisters often claimed not to be members of the Nazi party. I could only look at them without understanding that comment. They were only divorcing themselves from the Holocaust, which I was also privileged to view in person.
Symbols are semantic messengers that seep under the skin.
Marvin Goodman
Lenexa
