To the Editor:

I do not mind admitting my age; I am 68 years old. It is an unwritten rule in Southern etiquette that old women get to speak their mind, so here I go.

I do wish U.S. citizens had the knowledge and understanding of U.S. history. If U.S. citizens knew our history and were aware of the sacrifices that have been made by thousands and thousands to allow us the freedoms we have today, we would be in a better place. And, yes, I am horrified at the atrocities that took place in the history of our nation. The treatment and slaughter of the Native Americans and slavery of African Americans were bleak and miserable periods in our history. But we must learn from history and go forward with love and respect for each other.

Nike recently introduced the Betsy Ross tennis shoe to commemorate our country’s independence (Fourth of July). But guess what? A famous athlete influenced Nike not to release the shoe. The emblem on the back of the shoe had 13 stars and seven red stripes and six white stripes. In fact, our current American flag still has 13 stripes. The Betsy Ross flag is associated with the Revolutionary War, not the Civil War. I am not going to explain the difference between the Revolutionary War and the Civil War; go read history if you are confused. Our country was comprised of 13 colonies and provinces that were under British rule. We found the Revolutionary War against the British crown, primarily due to taxation of the colonies without representation.

It is amazing to me how star athletes and Hollywood stars can dictate what companies can and cannot do. I know we still have improvements to make for equality of all U.S. citizens, but disrespecting the Betsy Ross flag of the 13 colonies or the American flag of today is not the way to move our country forward in peace and love for one another. The next time you see an American flag, put your right hand over your heart and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. And for those of you who don’t know, here it goes: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The pledge has been altered over the years but the original pledge was composed by a Union officer, not a Confederate officer. The last change was made in 1954 on Flag Day, and the words “under God” were added.

I would love to say more, but space is limited. Let us bring change to our nation by the words and beliefs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King. He was a Baptist minister, and I am sure prayer was part of his daily habit, and it should be a part of our daily habit.

 

Diana Tew

Washington