Editorial: Debate warranted, councilman's actions are not

The St. Andrew’s Cross, best known for adorning the Confederate Battle Flag, stirs many emotions. Depending upon which side of history you’re standing and often the color of your skin, the emotions can be quite different. For some, it represents regional pride, honor, bravery and sacrifice. For many others, it represents hatred, bigotry, failure and terror.

There’s no question the image is an important part of our history. Some say just because hate groups hijacked it many years after the end of the Confederate States of America, it shouldn’t be removed from public use.

Others say the history it represents is far too incendiary to allow it to remain a part of today’s culture. It is an image adopted by such hate-mongering groups as the Ku Klux Klan, Neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups.

Few outside of our region can fully understand the strong emotions on both sides of this debate. It is a debate that has raged in the South for decades. From Ole Miss football games to the South Carolina statehouse to the state flag of Georgia, the St. Andrew’s Cross has fueled heated arguments that continue today.

Just a few weeks ago, students around Auburn University flew the flag proudly on the backs of cars, pick-up trucks and at several gatherings as part of the now-unofficial celebration of Old South Week. It’s worth noting that these students were white and it is likely that many of their black classmates were offended.

Clearly, public discourse over the waning use of this image is worthy of attention.

But the way the Rev. Arthur Dowdell chose to enter the debate is far from appropriate and beneath the office of city councilman. His actions Thursday afternoon were inexcusable and did damage to those who share his side of the debate over the flag.

A group of women, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, placed small Confederate flags on the graves of some of their forefathers in historic Pine Hill Cemetery, something they have done this time of year for more than 50 years. The women were preparing the graves for Monday’s Confederate Memorial Day, a holiday that is still recognized as an official state holiday.

But this year, Dowdell happened to be driving by to take his daughter to school.

He stopped his vehicle, entered the cemetery and snatched the flags off of the graves as the women watched in disbelief.

Dowdell later said, “If I had my way, I would have broke them (the flags) all up and stomped on them and burned them. That flag represents another country, another nation.”

Dowdell then went on to say that he would make certain the flags would never be placed there again.

The flag may rightfully offend Dowdell. It is certainly understandable that a black person would find the flag offensive, just as it is understandable that a Jewish person would find a Swastika offensive. But he’s wrong on at least two fronts.

First, like what it represents or not, it is part of this nation’s history, however ugly.

Second, no one should have the right to snatch something off of a grave placed there by a relative, especially an elected official.

If Dowdell wants the flags removed, he should have operated within the proper channels.

He’s a city councilman. This is a city cemetery.

Dowdell’s actions have done nothing to advance the debate over the appropriateness of the flag.

They’ve done nothing to ensure that they will no longer be placed there.

They’ve done nothing to help people on either side of this issue find common ground. All they’ve done is divide, stir emotions and create controversy.

A minister and an elected official should know better than to approach this issue in such fashion.