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Derek Maul: I Pledge Allegiance To The Flag

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 18, 2008

In case any of us remains unclear regarding the philosophical underpinnings of the group that raised the colossal Confederate flag at Interstate 75 and U.S. 92, I've copied the following introductory words from the home page of the Sons of Confederate Veterans' general headquarters, scv.org:

"The citizen-soldiers who fought for the Confederacy personified the best qualities of America. The preservation of liberty and freedom was the motivating factor in the South's decision to fight the Second American Revolution."

Over the past two weeks, a lot has been written regarding the flag raised June 3.

The unfurling, initially scheduled for July, was ostensibly moved forward to mark the birthday of Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis. I couldn't help but notice that the timing coincided with Barack Obama's victory in the Democratic Party's nomination for president.

Under such a flag, a flag easily visible from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, an American such as Obama would not have been able to vote, let alone run for office. But then again, neither would Hillary Clinton.

When the Confederate States of America was formed and adopted its now-controversial battle flag, inequality, subjugation and repression defined life for women and black men, and the same was true under either flag, the Confederacy's or the United States'.

But we have come a long way since 1861. While the Stars and Stripes has marched resolutely forward into the 21st century, the flag the Sons of Confederate Veterans are so proud to fly is firmly rooted in ideas that have failed to improve with the passage of time.

We can romanticize times gone by all we like, but the genius of our founding ancestors was to anchor our future in principles that allow for constructive change. The Confederacy did not want any part of such a constitution and its flag reminds us of how close we came to losing our national soul.

A little more than 23 years ago, I stood in front of a federal judge and swore allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

I grew up English, and the United Kingdom recognizes dual citizenship, but I voluntarily gave up my British passport because, as a citizen of the United States, I disavowed loyalty to any other "prince, potentate or power."

The Confederate flag is an interesting museum piece, but flying a 50-by-30-foot flag atop a 139-foot flagpole suggests an allegiance, a commitment to what the Sons of Confederate Veterans define as "the best qualities of America."

The best qualities of America are those that allow for people such as Obama, Clinton and John McCain to run for president. The qualities the Confederacy stood for were division, oppression and discrimination; let's not forget that.

The Stars and Stripes is the only flag with the moral authority to fly with such prominence over our community.

Columnist Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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