As I wake-up to take my dog out to the backyard for his morning rituals I gaze at the back of the house on the street behind me. The house is less than a football field away and each morning I see the occupants’ flag fluttering in the breeze. Each morning I see a Confederate flag flying in their yard. There are a few American flags flying in the front yards of the occupant’s neighbors. However, they choose to hide their flag in the back of the house and lower than the topmost part of the house’s roof.

               I understand why they fly the flag. I have been told more than once they want to continue to love and show their heritage. These people are proud southerners, and this is their way of showing it. I do not know about that sentiment because I know of northerners that also fly the Confederate flag and they have never been to the southern states nor know anyone that live in the south.

               The flag is properly named the Confederate Battle Flag. Please excuse my ignorance but I thought the Confederate States of America lost the Civil War. My understanding of a loser of a war is that all their spoils are taken by the winner. If that is the case then why are there monuments, plaques, books, memorabilia, and the still flying battle flags of the loser?

               As losers they have major bridges, roads, buildings, parks (local and national), military bases, and many other things dedicated to them and their proclaimed heroes. Heroes of what? There is a strong fight to not offend, tear down, destroy or rename anything that is Confederate. If it is Union, there is nothing said or done about it. This kind of thinking befuddles the mind. For someone not knowing history it would seem as though the Confederacy won the Civil War and the government in charge took the country from them.

               Yet, each and every day I see that flag flying and cannot say anything about it unless I want to start a huge mess. I do not know the people, never met them. I see them occasionally and never wanted to have a conversation with them. They may be nice people, but I know that deep inside them I am not wanted in their neighborhood. I am not sure if they want me to be alive because I am Black and I am an American, not Confederate. I do not know if they participated in the January 6^th siege on the U.S. Capitol. I do not know if they are planning or is a part in the planning of another siege. They fly their flag which make me think anything is possible.

               I will fly my American flag and I am proud to have retired from the United States military. We have lost a few battles, but we are winners. Things are at last starting an attempt to change but there is a long road ahead. As the courts and laws change against things Confederate look around you for those that scream the loudest because of the attempted change. Are they American or are they Confederate? Look for the flag. That will tell you who they are.