MARCH FROM CHARLESTON TO COLUMBIA......

[deja]

DOES ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING? I AM INTERESTED IN YOU THOUGHTS ON THIS SUBJECT.


LOOKING FORWARD.......

DEJA

[AKAtude]

According to the news reports, the opening rally attracted about 600 people. However, the actual number of marchers who left Charleston may be less than that from what I've seen.

Some of the black city council members were caught off guard by the mayor's plans. They did not know about the march until he made a formal annoucement. Many people are concerned about his motives for putting together a march. I read in the paper this morning that Mayor Riley is wearing a bullet- proof vest because he has had a specific death threat made against him.

I think the march from Charleston to Columbia would have been a great addition to the rally held in Columbia on Martin Luther King, Jr. day. That was when 46,000 people gathered at the statehouse to protest the flying of the confederate battle flag.

I wish I was able to take part in it along the way. I hope it is a success.

[deja]

I SAW ON THE NEW TODAY THAT THERE WERE ONLY SEVENTY PEOPLE MARCHING. NOW I KNOW THIS IS FALSE INFORMATION, RIGHT? I PRAY THIS MARCH MAKES A GREAT IMPACT.

DEJA

[AKAtude]

The number you got is higher than what the 6 o'clock news said here in Charleston. They said it was about 50 marchers. The pictures they showed looked more like 30 to me. However, I can tell you that the television stations in Charleston have taken the side of the flag opponents. Not only can you tell that from their coverage and how they report things, but also from the commentaries given by the on air personalities.

Unfortunately, in some areas the flag supporters had to line the roads as the marchers passed waving their flags. Their behavior showed how ignorant some of them are.

I pray the march finishes without incident. However, as Mayor Riley stated on the news tonight, the death threat he received was all about hate and not heritage. I have agree with that.



[This message has been edited by AKAtude (edited April 03, 2000).]

[deja]

I WILL JOIN YOU IN THE PRAYER FOR PEACE. HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO FIGHT THIS RACE WAR? MAKES YOU WONDER, UH?

PERHAPS SOME PEOPLE MAYBE BELIEVE THAT THAT FLAG IS A SYMBOL OF HERITAGE, HOWEVER TO THE VAST MAJORITY....IGNORANCE IS DEFINITELY A FACTOR.

KEEP ME POSTED. YOU MIGHT RECEIVE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, GIVEN THE FACT YOU ARE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

PRAY FOR JUSTICE & PEACE!

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TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN....MUCH IS EXPECTED.

[SWEETAKA]

I am outraged at the total insensitivity of the state of South Carolina on this issue. Last month, our chapter members each wrote a letter to the governor of this state requesting that this symbol of hatred be removed. Hatred takes a very long time to die because it's like spreading cancer.

**However, this makes the words of Maya Angelou resound even more: "And still I rise!"

[AKAtude]

Sweetaka,

Did you ever respond to Pink Passion with your chapter information?

[AKAtude]

It is great to write letters to the governor, however, it is the state legislature that has the task of finding a satisfactory solution to this problem. Thus, the ending of this debate rests upon their shoulders and their actions will be remembered at the ballot box in November.

[SWEETAKA]

AKAtude,
Yes, I responded to Pink Passion via
e-mail. I did not post because we were discussing privacy issues at the time.

There were some Sorors who wrote to the govenor and others who wrote to different legislators in the South Carolina area. Hopefully, with the marches or letter writing
someone voice may be heard. It is very sad we must do any of this but this is America. Stay strong Soror.

[deja]

I admit the question I am about to pose leaves me to wonder, "how far have we really come?"

Why now? That flag has been flying for years, maybe even since I was a freshman at Bishop England....What caused us to raise consciencenes concerning the symbolism of said flag. Is this a new fight? If so why? Is this an on going endeavor? These are just questions......Answers anyone? Your thoughts are appreciated.




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TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN....MUCH IS EXPECTED.

[AKAtude]

Deja,

Not only did you and my sister attend Benedict, but she also graduated from Bishop England!

This issue has been going on for several years. Each time the legislature was asked to consider moving the confederate battle flag, they brushed it off and swept it under the rug. Now, the NAACP has issued a tourism boycott and state is paying attention.

I get a laugh every time I read a quote in the newspaper or hear someone on television say the boycott is having no real effect (even though businesses say otherwise). However, they are wrong. Even if the effect is not monetary in nature, it has everyone's attention! Finally! People are talking about it, it captures headlines in the newspaper several times a week, and it is still a top story on the 6 o'clock news.

For the first time, the issue is on the front burner. It is not being brushed off and the chances of it coming to a resolution are within reach.

I, personally, do not believe it belongs on the statehouse dome because the confederacy does not exist. It is a part of history and should be placed in a museum. What does heritage have to do with anything? People have ancestors who fought on the side of the British during the Revolutionary War (remember the loyalists and tories?). They are not asking for the Union Jack to be hoisted above the statehouse, but I'm sure they are just as proud of their heritage and the ancestors that were lost in that war.

If they are so concerned about the memory of their ancestors being tainted, then why don't they do something to keep the hate groups (KKK, skinheads, etc.) from using the flag. How can they expect us as black people to not be offended by the flag? Yes, it is a piece of cloth, but it is a symbol of hate and prejudice to many.

[deja]

AKATUDE,

You are wise way beyond your year!

You pose the question,why would white Americans allow hate groups to use the flag as a symbol representing their group? That is a very interesting angle. When I read that I said, "exactly".

I appreciate your response....( do I detect Law School for you in the near future?)

Thanks....

"Battling Bishops" To "Fighting Tigers"

Your sister did not attend SCSU for grad school or Morgan for post, did she?

[tickledpink]

I just returned to town, but I have to comment on this one. I totally agree with soror AKAtude. I am originally from South Carolina and it has always angered me to see politicians and residents use "history" as a cop out for displaying the Confederate Flag. Slavery is a part of our history also, but I haven't seen any pictures of Nat Turner or Harriet Tubman in the state house. And wouldn't it be deemed insensitive and racist if I dangled a Nazi "Swastika" in front of a Jewish person? To me, the Swastika and the Confederate flag symbolize the same thing -- years of oppression and deplorable genocide. The Confederate Flag not only represents slavery, but also a time in history when our nation was divided and southern government balatently chose to disobey a national mandate. I could never understand the "honor" in that... ok, I've vented enough.

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>>>"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised... Proverbs 31:29-30



[This message has been edited by tickledpink (edited April 10, 2000).]