The American war was lost by the rebel Confederates! Stop the terrorism!

An echo opinion letter to the editor published in the The Fresno Bee.

Confederate flag and terrorism: 

Yes! The confederate flag is simply terrorism!

I’ve lived in the Fresno proper area for almost 10 years. I’m a Californian. I’ve lived all over this state. But I have never lived in an area that openly allows and accepts blatant displays of bigotry. 

In fact, I will never forget the first time I visited our sister city Clovis. I will never forget seeing this pick-up truck brandishing a large (not small!) Confederate flag. I was appalled. I was confused.

Let’s start with why I was confused. For example, I didn’t know that the Central Valley was originally founded by Southerners with Southern racist hospitality. Now for the appalled: If there is one symbol, other than the noose, that represents the enslavement of a people, it’s the (evil!) Confederate flag. There are no two ways about it. Pure and simple.

What I learned that day was that people in our community “allowed” this type of terrorism to occur and exist. And, it is terrorism, folks! Pure and simple. Please don’t preach to me about your “freedom of speech.” This is a place bullies use to rationalize their bad behavior.

I’ll say this here and now: Guess what? You lost the war!

Now get over it!  From, Barri Brennan, from Fresno (California)