Take It Down

Yesterday I had my usual 3:30 AM wakeup. Usually I try to stay still so Macy doesn’t come in and bother me and keep me awake. This morning it was one nagging thought and not the cat that kept me awake.

Charleston.

I question why I am writing this, why I put this in a blog that I started six years ago and haven’t touched since then. Part of me really compelled to put my thoughts down and share them. I realize they may be half baked, I realize many may not agree with me, but it’s something I feel like I have to do. Something woke me up at 3:30 this morning, put this thought in my head and wouldn’t let off the hook without putting down on paper.

I was fortunate to be able visit Charleston this spring. It was one of those “bucket list” places that I wanted to experience. As a lover of history I wanted to see the graceful antebellum houses on East Battery; stroll down King Street, visit the historic Charleston City Market, and experience Low Country cuisine. I did all that, and was charmed by the beauty of the azaleas, the architecture, and the friendly people that call Charleston their home.

When I heard about the shooting it was that initial numbness of disbelief. “Oh, God, not again,” I thought. As more and more news trickled in via Twitter and the Facebook during day the numbness was chipped away bit by bit and replaced with sadness. When I got home that night I looked on the map to see where the church was located. I have to admit I don’t remember seeing it, but probably drove by it, and the fact that I was there made the event more personal to me.

It made me sad that a city I enjoyed and had wonderful memories of was now a synonym for violence and murder. The murderer took that Charleston away from me, which I know is nothing compared to the loss of life and the grief of those left behind.

Jon Stewart’s monologue after the shooting really hit it home for me; I must give credit where credit is due. I have to admit I was skeptical about the emotions around the Confederate flag. I would tell myself it’s just a flag, it’s an important part of a culture, and it’s just unfortunate that some people chose to use it as a symbol of hate and ruin it for others. It’s just a flag, I told myself, people add meaning.

I no longer think it is just a flag. I can’t image walking under and seeing something every day that has been used by a group whose main purpose was instill fear and even kill a group of people.
Furthermore, the fact that South Carolina has the Confederate flag flying at the state capital is a tacit approval of those actions, furthermore a wink and a nod to the shooting.

Yes, it is part of history. Yes, it is part of a culture. But it’s time to move on.

Take it down.