South Carolina leads
Not sure what water they drink in South Carolina but I want some — for myself and the rest of my fellow Americans. From the day of the massacre of the nine souls praying in church one could sense that the people of that state were different and worthy of our admiration.
The families of the murdered forgave and remained calm. The outcry of the citizenry was emotional but measured, and blacks and whites seemed to melt into one grieving group with common concerns and common goals. No looting. No rioting. Just prayer and grieving. Even the politicians acted responsibly and with little political agenda.
Although there were and are legitimate reasons why the Confederate Flag might have stayed or been removed, the elected officials from both sides of the aisle accepted the reality that the flag was viewed as a racist and hateful symbol by an important part of the community.
Enough said, it had to go. If only elected officials in Washington, D.C. could act so ably and resolutely.
Jose E. Sirven, Miami
This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 8:26 PM with the headline "South Carolina leads."