Confederate Flag/ Dukes of Hazzard cancellation

Nooo... TV Land cancelled the Dukes of Hazzard in response to the Confederate Flag backlash. Seriously I have my own opinions re the Flag. Some are ok and others not so ok but I really liked this show. As a child the flag represented the Dukes of Hazzard's car General Lee outrunning a corrupt police dept and Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane to save the day. Our family gathered around the TV every Fri night to watch it. As I got older I started seeing images of the flag associated with racism and hate crimes but also of southern pride to some people. I'm a little older and wiser and realize the influence this symbol has on a nation.

I've been pouring over hundreds of posts regarding the network pulling this show and its almost unanimous everyone is upset, blacks and whites.  As a black middle aged male I wanted to dig a little deeper into some of the posts other blacks were making regarding the show's cancellation.  The overall consensus was they enjoyed the show and many had Dukes of Hazzard T-shirts and toys.  Hell a few of them use to go outside and play as the Duke Boys trying to save the day.  As kids you don't normally see race or color only friends having a good time. Show was tastefully done and enjoyed by all races complete with kick ass chase scenes and the introduction of 'Daisy Duke's shorts' song which launched Catherine Bach into cult stardom and into many young men fantasies haha.

Prejudice is either taught, learned or handed down through generations!

Racism will continue to exist in all forms and images. If you're a religious person the same can be said about the devil existing in all shapes and forms too. Opinions are formed by education or lack of in some cases. I'm not a proponent or opponent of this flag and strongly believe if something is causing a riff in your ranks you deal with it to keep the ship moving forward and keep harmony to the majority. Not everyone will be pleased with final outcome but like any corporation, sports team or other major entity the goal is to keep moving forward for the greater benefit. Right or wrong it looks like the removal of the flag from many established places and companies. As of this writing  Nascar is the next collateral damage of the fallout.

Its a new era and change is inevitable. Hell nearly a century ago blacks and women couldn't vote, segregation was the norm, marijuana was illegal and gays/ lesbians were ostracized. Like it or not traditions, be it bad or good, change. Last I heard its still a free country and where you stand on this issue is clearly your choice. Its a slippery slope and when you start stripping liberties from one group, others are sure to follow. You don't have to like the flag or other symbols you feel biased toward but as long as they don't infringe on your rights, love em or hate em, you have to allow it. Once Big Brother gets involved and start making laws that cater to opinions  we move toward a New World Order (I'll save that topic for another day). A wise man once said... "People get the government they deserve". 
-James

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