The Civil War began in Charleston, S.C., 139 years ago this April.
Now Charleston, scene of the recent Travel South meeting, is at the
center of another controversy that has its roots in the same
conflict.
At issue is the Confederate flag. The statehouse in Colombia is
the only one in the nation that is still flying the Stars and
Bars.
For many, the Confederate flag represents the proud heritage of
the South. For others, it represents the issue that led to
secession and, ultimately, to war: slavery.
The flag has prompted the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People to organize a boycott against the
state's $14 billion tourism industry. It has asked individuals,
groups and associations to cancel or move activities that were
planned in South Carolina until the flag is removed from the
statehouse as well as the state senate and house chambers.
Although the boycott officially began Jan. 1, the NAACP began
calling for the action last summer. And its impact already has been
felt. According to the Hospitality Association of South Carolina,
91 conventions, meetings, family reunions and other gatherings have
canceled plans, stopped negotiations on contracts or announced they
won't consider coming to the state.
From a travel industry standpoint, those numbers alone would be
enough to support a change. But the issue at hand calls for more
than a business decision.
South Carolina has a right to be proud of its role in the
nation's history and the gallantry of the soldiers who fought and
died in the Civil War. But to hoist a symbol above the statehouse
that only a portion of the constituency can support seems to defy
the building's purpose.
NAACP president Kweisi Mfume says the Confederate flag
"represents one of the most reprehensible aspects of American
history, not only for people of African ancestry but for people
from every background."
The Confederate flag has a place in American history, but not on
the statehouse in Colombia.