LETTERS: FLAG REPRESENTS GOOD TRADITIONS

To the editor:

It was good to hear again from my friend, Steve Robertson (letter to the editor June 24). It's been nearly 30 years since we both began our road to journalism, Steve with a camera and me with a typewriter. And in those passing year, some things have not changed. Steve still passionately holds down the left side of the liberal agenda, and I continue to toil toward the right of center.

I can't help but express some degree of surprise in Steve's diatribe over the Confederate flag, that symbol of the South which he so obsessively abhors. But, then again, this is the world of the liberal today. Steve seems to believe that the elimination of the past will somehow magically right all wrongs of society. Yet Steve fails to mention those symbols of discrimination that exist on his liberal side of the cultural agenda. Liberals have a way of doing that.

Have you noticed the Malcolm X attire of the FUBU clothing that is currently in vogue? In his readings, has Steve considered the racial position espoused by the late Malcolm X? Is Steve not offended by merchandise made "For Us and By Us"? This separatist approach is clearly accepted by Steve and others while ignoring the meaning behind the symbol.

Steve states facts with some degree of accuracy on the history of the Confederacy. But he then takes that massive leap of logic that is symptomatic of the liberal approach: He equates all things evil with a symbol that stands for so much more. He tries to boil down to one singular point that the Confederate flag promotes the legacy of slavery. Unfortunately, that is an issues on Steve's mind, no mine.

Let's get some other facts on the record. Slavery was and is abhorrent. It remains a tragic relic of this nation's history and, for that matter, the history of countless other countries when ignorance ruled and our values were far different. We have spent those three generations Steve spoke of trying to right the wrongs committed in the past. And one point of mutual agreement, surely Steve recognizes the substantial strides we have made. Granted, much remains yet to be done. Progress never comes at the pace we would all like.

Please don't equate a symbol for an ideology. There is both a distinction and a difference. Put down the liberal guard for but one fleeting moment and accept the notion that some of us can embrace the symbol of the South and still reject the flaws of that tragic time in our history. If Steve cannot or chooses not to separate the two, then intelligent differences of opinion will surely die in the process.

I have no illusions that I can change Steve's mind. That is neither my mission nor my goal. All I ask is that the liberal community take a step back from its myopic mindset and recognize that to be conservative does not automatically equate to a racist embrace. I take great pride in my personal and professional efforts to improve the lot of all segments of our society. I take pride in working diligently daily to remove barriers and build bridges of understanding and acceptance. And, at the same time, I take equal pride in those traditions of the Old South that are so lacking in our society today: respect, honor and pride.

These are not mutually exclusive. It high time Steve and others recognized that.

MICHAEL L. JENSEN SR.

Publisher

Standard-Democrat

Sikeston, Mo.