In response to “Flag Symbolism” which ran in the July 8 issue of North Country This Week: First of all, the south started the Civil War by succeeding from the union and then they were the first to start hostilities by firing on Fort Sumpter! After the war the flag the south fought under was retired and did not fly on any public grounds. There were those who hung the confederate flag on there own private property but not on government property! Years passed and we came into the 1950s and 1960s. This is the time in our American history when blacks were fighting for equal rights under the law. At this time the south began flying the confederate flag on public property and tried to keep segregation. Under this flag during this time there were many cases of lynching, murder and bombings. Is it any reason that people think this flag represents racism? I suggest you check your history and then reevaluate your position on this racists flag. Nine people were just murdered under this flag.