The Confederate flag that now flies atop the statehouse of South Carolina has been a controversial issue for over 30 years. Raised in 1962 to commemorate the Civil War's 100th anniversary, it is the only Confederate flag to wave atop any state capitol in the country, and its presence has stirred quite a commotion. Last March, a group that wants the South to secede from the United States staged a Confederate flag-waving rally in Montgomery, Alabama. Hundreds of people signed petitions, demanding that the state follow South Carolina's example and return the Confederate flag to the state capitol. In April, a march against the flag's presence was led by Charleston Mayor Riley. Six hundred flag opponents marched to the statehouse to have the flag taken down. The NAACP has staged a national boycott of tourism in South Carolina, which is supposed to last until the flag is removed.
             The issue of whether the flag belongs at the South Carolina state capitol has been distorted by many people. This simple matter has been transformed into a freedom of expression controversy, which it certainly isn't. This is an issue of appropriateness. Were the subject not so manipulated, it would be very obvious that the flag belongs in a museum, or a Civil War memorial, and not waving at any State Capitol.
             On Michelle's first morning at a college dormitory, she discovered a fellow student had hung a Confederate flag on his window, which was directly across from hers. As an African American, descended from slaves, Michelle was extremely offended by the sight. She considered it symbolic of slavery and the oppression of her ancestors. She took up the issue with the college administration, and asked for the flag to be taken down. Administration refused, citing the student's freedom of expression as support for this decision. Frustrated, Michelle bought and hung a swastika flag outside her own window. The college promptly asked bo...