If for just a split second, one thought that the Confederate Flag issue and the call for an official Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in South Carolina would simply go away, the reality is that until a resolution is reached on these issues the scrutiny will continue and the debate will rage on.

With regard to the debate over the flying of the flag, the points of contention lie in the moral justification of each of the viewpoints. In 1962, the State of South Carolina began flying the Confederate flag atop the dome of its capitol building, as a commemorative gesture to salute the rich heritage of the soldiers of the South who fought in the Civil war. Critics of this gesture have viewed and still view the “flying of the flag” as less of a commemorative gesture and more as an act of subtle defiance against the civil rights legislation and integration policies that were enacted in the early 60’s. Furthermore, critics stress that the flag symbolizes racism and slavery, and thus is offensive to most South Carolinians and African Americans and others nationwide.

In addressing the flag issue a quick analysis of the Civil War dismisses one of the prime arguments for flying the flag over the state capitol. In simple terms, from the Southern standpoint, the war was about the economics of slavery and the desire for secession ---- two morally reprehensible motives. The southern troops were fighting to uphold the institution of slavery---the treating of fellow human beings as mere properties---and secession from the Union, an act akin to the worst forms of treason. While they fought for the aforementioned motives, the Confederate Flag was the symbol that they flew proudly in battle. From a contemporary standpoint, the Confederate flag has been used as a symbol of hate by groups such as the skinheads, the Aryan Nation, the Ku Klux Klan and other perpetuators of racial hatred. The current implications that have been associated with the flag in recent years effectively dilute the heritage argument maintained by supporters of the flag’s hanging over the state capitol. While the flag supporters may argue that not all Civil War soldiers were slave owners and the war was more for Southern pride, as symbols go, the Confederate flag could be comparable to the swastika.

A state capitol building should be an inspirational source of unity for its citizens. However, with the Confederate flag flying on its dome, it serves as a source of division and should be removed! By flying the Confederate flag over its state capitol---the supposed epicenter of that state’s democracy---South Carolina sends a message, albeit indirectly, that it condones racism, slavery, and division among citizens. South Carolina should represent all its citizens, proudly flying only the Stars and Stripes flag, and the official state flag. It is imperative that this issue be resolved, for as we enter a new millennium, the fostering of unity not discord should be paramount.

So long as the State of South Carolina continues to fly the Confederate flag, the issue stays on the front burner. This will inspire civil rights leaders, organizations, and concerned citizens will express their moral and civil outrage by publicly voicing their disapproval, educating the public on the merits and demerits of the issue, and boycotting the state thereby affecting tourism revenues. In past months, the New York Knicks basketball players refused to hold their pre-playoff training camp in South Carolina and tennis star Serena Williams refused to participate in an event held in South Carolina. In a surprising development, former Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain has joined the voices calling for the flag’s removal. The actions of these athletes and politicians combined with the majority of South Carolinians who want the flag removed from the Capitol will keep the issue on the front burner.

If the Confederate flag issue serves as one example of indirect racism prevalent in South Carolina, another issue is more blatantly offensive. While we are still reviewing the “state” of South Carolina, one has to question why the State of South Carolina does not have an official state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King had an enormous impact on the desegregation of the United States in the 1960's. As a leader and agent for social change, Dr. King made an indelible mark on this country’s history. With that in mind, we urge the lawmakers in the State of South Carolina to see past their “noses” and acknowledge Dr. King’s positive contributions to America’s history and officially honor the federal holiday.

The current “state” of South Carolina, is one of division, implied racism, and intolerance. In order to make lasting change, steps must be taken to address the issues at hand. The first step will be removing the flag followed by the passage of an official state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The second step will be a dialogue that will begin to mend the rift that the debate over the aforementioned issues have caused in South Carolina and nationwide.

UPDATE: In April, the South Carolina State Senate voted 36-7 in favor of a bill that would remove the Confederate Flag from the State Capitol and move it to a location nearby. The NAACP is opposed to this bill and is continuing its tourism boycott of the state.

After a bitter battle in the South Carolina House, the 'King' holiday was passed and signed into law on May 1, 2000 by Governor Hodges. The NAACP had urged the governor to oppose this bill, because it also established a permanent holiday honoring Confederate Memorial Day, once again tying the two issues together.