Monday letters: Blame racists for Confederate flag’s demise

Those who support the Confederate flag blame its unpopularity on everyone from blacks and racially tolerant whites to red-state politicians and President Obama. Their blaming is misdirected. They need to focus on the real culprits who have dishonored their flag for many years: the KKK and other racial hate groups that have associated themselves with the stars and bars.

I would think that if someone is disgracing their heritage, one would have courage enough to approach the perpetrators directly, rather than blaming people who have nothing to do with it. There has never been a case where black or racially tolerant white people have draped themselves in the Confederate flag and done everything from burning churches to murdering Bible study worshipers who, as the Charleston shooter admitted, were nice to him.

Just like this country electing and re-electing an African-American for president, removing the Confederate flag will not automatically make everyone play nice. But as long as it is on display at the State House, it will give comfort to those who do not want to move forward.

Winnsboro