We're not racist. We're the Rebels and we fly the flag because it stands for our Rebel high school and not anything else. But some parents at the meeting said they were disappointed. I think we did not show an awareness of the larger Birmingham community. We must be looking for ways to value all of our students.
Symbols are powerful and the flag means white supremacy and oppression to some people.
Another parent said she expected the board to sidestep the issue. Ideally the best thing would be if students decided to leave the flags at home. I don't have a problem with the flag. I have a problem with what people perceive the flag to mean. Used with permission.