The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Brian Richardson, Contributor • March 28, 2024
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Student shocked by rebel flag pride


We’ve all noticed them. Those flags pasted to the backs of trucks and even hung in the yards of residential neighborhoods. SMU in itself is a culture shock to anybody who grew up in a Northern state, but when I heard that the meaning of the Confederate Flag was a point of contention on campus, shocked doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt about the topic.

To give a brief synopsis of the history surrounding the Confederate flag, it was used by Southern States during the American Civil War to represent the Confederate States that wished to secede from The Union.

Why secede from the union, you ask?

To own slaves, of course. The flag originally represented the South’s longing to make a profit through cotton and the subsequent exploitation of African Americans. I don’t know where this message got twisted up or misunderstood but if you crack open a history book it is pretty blatant that The Civil War was fought over the economic issue of slavery not just any “state right.”

I have come across the argument that the flag represents “southern pride” and “state’s rights.” And while these contentions are both true to some degree, it is impossible to ignore the overarching theme behind the Confederate flag: racism. Yes, the flag does represent state’s rights, but the right it represents is abhorring and discriminatory. And when SMU students fly it — whether they like it or not — they are representing the mistakes of the South, not its accomplishments.

There are certain pitfalls that countries know they are not supposed to be proud of. Frankly, you don’t see a German waving around a Nazi flag claiming it represents German pride, because it doesn’t. Throughout history there are moments that merit awe and moments that merit disappointment. The problem on this campus seems to be that we have gotten the two mixed up.

Until I moved to Dallas I was under the impression that Texas was progressing out of its old ideals of bigotry and prejudice. However, judging on the sheer abundance of this racially discriminatory flag flying everywhere, it is copiously clear to me that racial insensitivity, if not blatant racism, is still running rampant in Dallas. To deny this fact is to plead ignorance and I doubt that students attending a campus whose motto translates to “The Truth Will Set You Free,” would ever wish to be ignorant of the truth.

I am well aware that there are going to be students who disagree with me and this is your right as American citizens.

However, I would like to put this issue into perspective. I have never seen an African American student flying that flag anywhere. Not where I’m from and not in Dallas. If anything, the next time you decide to rep that flag on your car, or on your dorm wall or in front of your house, hopefully this article will have made you think twice about how other people might perceive that.

Just because you can fly a flag, doesn’t mean you should.

McClaran is a first-year majoring in English and accounting.


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