Date:  Tue, 28 Oct 1997 09:24:35 -0600
From:  Brian James Callarman <bjc0007[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]JOVE.ACS.UNT.EDU>
Subject: Confederate flag, etc., etc.

I understand that the Confederate flag is not a cultural symbol that
everyone wants to identify themselves with. My question, however, is
this: don't you think that maybe it's a little harsh to call the inclusion
of a flag "tyranny". Surely that is strong language for simply flying a
flag as a cultural symbol. Here is a little axiom about "political
correctness" (and I'm not intending to point any fingures); when taken to
an extreme it can be used as something of a cultural sterilization agent.
Now, I'm all for cultural diversity and it seems that United States
culture is very diverse and becoming more so by the minute, but it is
important to realize, within reason, that every culture is inherantly
going to have aspects that are offensive to other cultures. It is just
impractical and, I would even go so far as to say, impossible to have a
completely offense-free society.

If you really want something to get upset about, and this is one thing
that I am very surprised that no one has jumped on in recent years with
huge "political correctness" and culturaly diversity push. How about the
professional baseball team called the Atlanta Braves or, far worse than
that, the Washington Redskins. I understand that this is a touchy
subject, but I just have to set forth this scenario: Wouldn't that be
about like having a team called the "Georgia Niggers" (I mean absolutly no
offense by this to ANYONE. I'm using this completely hypothetically to
the end of making a point, so, if I have offended anyone, I apologize in
advance.)

Brian Callarman