Disturbing flag is a reminder of the struggle for equality

Driving through Solon recently, either on my way to one of the good restaurants there or en route to the southeast side of Cedar Rapids, I’ve noticed a flag being flown by some person on Market Street. Its left half is the Stars and Stripes, but its right half is the Confederate Stars and Bars. Of course, that citizen has a legal right to make such a statement.

Likewise, I have a right to express my strong disapproval and disgust. The combination of these two flags suggests the union of the ideals of the United States of America with those of the Confederate States. In the case of the latter, those “ideals” were focused on continuing the inhumane and unjust institution of chattel slavery. I struggle to express how profoundly disturbing it is to see this flag flying.

Perhaps it must serve to remind us how very far we have to go to achieve our nation’s foundational belief that “all (human beings) are created equal.”

David Duer

Iowa City