Letter to the editor: Confederate flag glorifies traitors

Deanna Betras disagrees with Norwin School District leaders’ decision to ask students to change Confederate flag clothing during a “’Merica Monday” celebration (“Norwin resident seeks racial sensitivity, diversity training for school staff after students wore Confederate flag clothing”). Ms. Betras, here is a brief American history lesson for you.

There are no statues for American “heroes” Robert Rogers, who fought against the Continental Army during the American Revolution, or Benedict Arnold, who led the charge that won the battle of Saratoga, which turned the tide of the war, but then turned his coat and led British raids along the coast of Virginia. They were traitors.

During our Civil War, the Confederate States of America attacked the people and the government of the Union; the Confederates bore arms against their native land and, according to the U.S. Constitution, this was treason. They were traitors.

Norwin students were supposed to wear red, white and blue to show support for the United States, according to the article. Get it? Our United States.

Betras complains that “The Confederate flag is offensive to some. The BLM (Black Lives Matter) banner is offensive to some.” So what? Where is there the vaguest comparison?

The Confederate flag is not a political symbol. It is a racist, hateful, divisive, ignorant ensign used to glorify traitors, slavery, Jim Crow, segregation and white supremacy.

Betras insists it is not the school district’s job “to determine what constitutes an offensive political position.” This is probably the lamest, most bigoted, disloyal statement I have ever heard. There is no excuse for this nonsense.

Jim Harger

New Kensington