On June 17, 2015, a young man walked into a prayer service at Emanuel A.M.E.
Church in Charleston, South Carolina and opened fire slaying nine people. The
murders, we found out, were explicitly racially motivated. “I have to do it,” the
gunman was quoted as saying before he fired. “You rape our women and you’re
taking over our country. And you have to go” (Ellis). Across the country
communities confronted the horror of these events with the question: “what kind
of person could do such a thing?” In the aftermath of the attack, journalist began
to uncover photos of the shooter posing with the Confederate battle flag and
making claims about starting another Civil War. Quickly the confusion and hurt
over the attack turned into outrage about the history and values represented by the
Confederate battle flag. Newspapers and websites were filled with debate about
the flag and its history.1 Many saw the celebration of the Confederate battle flag,
especially the fact that it was (and is) still flown over many state capital buildings,
as a reminder and glorification of America’s cruel racial history. Defenders, on the
other hand, held (and still hold) the old position that the confederate flag is a
Celebration of southern heritage, not a declaration of hate.
