We are all entitled to our opinions and likewise, we are entitled to change our minds. This will probably be my last column addressing the rebel flag and all of its negative implications to blacks. I have heard from individuals who support the rebel flag, those who oppose it, and those who do not care one way or the other. Of course, the rebel flag being waved is protected by free speech. No one can argue that fact. But if I knew someone felt degraded by something I was doing and approached me in a sincere manner, I would try my best to find out why that person feels that way and make a conscious attempt to change. The rebel flag is a symbol to the world of how reluctant the South is to change. Unfortunately, the saddest part may well be that some white southerners know it offends blacks, and we may just be adding fuel to fire by protesting their adored flag. I have heard replies from white students and others who say things that are a staple of black culture offend them. Such as rap music, black magazines and TV stations such as Black Entertainment Television (BET). Black people are allowed to be more racist than white people, as one woman said in Monday’s edition of The Daily Reveille. This does not surprise me, but if you were to look at the details, mainly white enterprises produce and own most of what society views as black entertainment. Viacom, who also owns MTV and CBS, bought BET in 2000. Essence, a premier black magazine, and the Source, a hip-hop magazine, are also not black owned. Even black rap labels are under bigger labels such as Columbia and Virgin Mobile. One thing that transcends race is making money, and enterprises picked up on that a long time ago. Racism only hinders a business’ growth, and that is something northerners have come to realize before southerners. The University’s NAACP chapter has taken a lot of criticism on their stand against the rebel flag. They fight what they feel are campus issues that need to be addressed. If they want to take on issues that range from the confederate flag or lash out against lack of efforts to help Katrina victims ,it is their choice. Do not think that just because the rebel flag gets the most publicity because of its controversy, that it is the only item on their agenda. Both black and white students could fight a never-ending battle over the history, pride and culture of both races that would never be won. But as equals, we should come together to understand each other and make changes and sacrifices if we ever want to be as diverse as we claim. For now, we still remain divided, but in the end we are all Americans with some of the same dreams. We are all students that share the same strife during midterms and finals, and we root for the same team during game days.
To expect someone to fully understand another race may be be asking the impossible. As Sekou Sundiata once said, “I could only imagine what an uncomfortable fit it would be in another man’s shoes, I can only speak for the road these feet have walked in my own shoes.”
Sevetri is a mass comm sophomore. Contact her at swilson@lsureveille.com