Confederate flag debate highlights racial tensions

Removal of Confederate flag from SC Capitol sparks strong reactions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina Capitol was sparked by the church massacre of nine black community leaders.

The white man accused of murdering them said he wanted to start a race war.

Now that the flag is down, people are reacting either in celebration or disgust.

Several heated confrontations have unfolded in the shadow of the South Carolina Confederate flag debate, including fights in Orlando, Tampa and Ocala.

Local historian Dave Nelson, the owner of Uncle Davey's Americana, said his store can't keep up with the demand for the Confederate flag, and he expects to see the flag flying more than ever because of the controversy.

"I've sold all of mine, and I'm not sure where I can get more," Nelson said.

He said he doesn't have a problem with the flag being removed from the state Capitol grounds. Nelson disagrees, however, with the reason why. He said the flag is not a symbol of hate.

"In actuality, it's not, and I believe that some people think that it is, and it's understandable why they feel it is, but it doesn't stand for that," Nelson said. "The flag was hijacked back in the 1960s by groups other than the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Southern Patriots, who respect their history. What those groups did, we deplore, and we've asked them not to use that flag, and they have."

Like most people, Nelson hopes Dylan Roof's call for a race war never becomes a reality. But in recent days we've seen several confrontations revolving around the Confederate flag.

In Orlando two white men got into a road-rage incident over one man flying the flag on Interstate 4, and on the Fourth of July in Tampa, a violent scene erupted at a cookout, as a man marched in waving the flag.

Locally, police officers are aware of the social implications of the flag and of two recent incidents that could have provoked confrontation.

"There were people with the Confederate flag flying it over the overpass of I-10; a group of people holding it up," News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith said. "And also there was a motorcycle group, starting in Fernandina to St. Augustine, and they were asking people to join them and put the flag on their cars."

Smith pointed out that regardless of where a person stands on the issue, the Confederate flag might not fly at the South Carolina Capitol anymore, but it is perfectly legal anywhere else.

"If you don't like it, you just don't like it," Smith said. "Leave the person alone. They have the right to do what they want to do. I wouldn't confront them. The best thing to do is to leave it alone and just let it go."

University of North Florida race relations expert Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder said in many ways, the issue of the flag has divided more and more Americans. She said this division shows just how far America has to go with race relations, whether you agree with the flag being removed or not.  


About the Author:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.