Symbols

Last week, here in the northland, three senior high school boys were not allowed to graduate with their class because they, among other things, flew a confederate flag on the school grounds.

They said they didn't mean anything bad by it. They just wanted to be like those guys on "The Dukes of Hazard."

One commentator, reminding us that "The Dukes Hazard" TV show ended 20 years ago, said that it would be the same kind of excuse if they said they were influenced by "The Mary Tyler Moore" show.

Symbols remind us of something. In the South where I live the confederate flag is a volatile symbol. It reminds us, among other things, of a war where brother fought brother, slavery, and a separation from African Americans and Northerners. It's offensive and hurtful to most people.

I hope this is not what these young men had in mind. I hope it was just a prank and that they've learned something.

But I doubt that they were jeopardizing their graduation in order to emulate the Dukes of Hazard.


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