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It’s his right to fly flag Last Updated: April 26, 2018 We understand why some are offended by the Confederate flag that is flying in the heart of Kechi. The flag, which to some is merely a reference to a time period in U.S. history, represents something far more troubling to a lot of people. To many, the flag is a symbol of slavery, racism and hatred and should be no part of the public square. A member of the Kechi City Council, Betty Washington, who is an African-American, condemned the presence of the flag last month during a council meeting. The mayor, in turn, reached out to the resident flying the flag, Rick Smith, in attempt to reconcile their differences. Mayor John Speer said the city respects the man's First Amendment rights, but he had hoped to foster a discussion between Washington and Smith. “I feel that many times, we have more things in common than we have in differences," Speer told The News. The plan kind of backfired. Smith told The News that he felt Speer “threw me under the bus" when Speer offered to buy him lunch at Geno's Bar-B-Q, which Washington owns and operates. “He came over here and talked to me in the driveway," Smith said. “He showed me his family picture from Georgia where he's from. He understands the significance of this flag. Well then he took me out to lunch and said he was buying. He took me to Geno's — to Ms. Washington's — and threw me under the bus." Speer said: “In bringing the two of them together to meet each other, it was my hope that they both might understand where the other person was coming from and possibly become better neighbors." For now, the flag continues to fly in Smith's yard. The Confederate flag may be a controversial symbol, but there should be no debate about whether Smith has the right to fly it. There should be continued discussion, however, about how diverse members of a community can live with respect and harmony even in times of dissent. — The Ark Valley News |
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