Speaking in symbols—
what are we saying?

By ROSANNE LA RUSSO KOLBERG

Gertrude Stein wrote, «A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose.» Did she mean a thing is just a thing?

William Shakespeare wrote, “That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” Did he mean an object is what it is, no matter what we call it? Are objects neutral, intrinsically neither good nor evil?

The third digit on the human hand is just a finger—unless you raise only that middle finger in an all too well known gesture. Then the finger becomes something more than just an appendage. By the meaning we assign or associate with certain objects or acts we transform them into symbols. They become a kind of shorthand we use to send messages to each other about our values and ourselves.

Symbolic meaning varies among cultures. The swastika represents entirely different ideas to Neo-Nazis and observant Hindus. Symbolic meaning changes over time. Winston Churchill and John Lennon certainly made very different statements depending on when in the 20th century you were watching, although both held up two fingers in the famous “V” or “peace” sign.

In this country, we are free to express our ideas—but responsibly. Although you may feel like doing it, yelling “fire” just for fun in a crowded theatre is a prosecutable crime. Although there are no restrictions here as there are in Germany to prevent public display of the Nazi swastika, most people would probably object to seeing one on a flag flown at the local post office or the capitol building in Washington. D.C. It is not against the law to “give someone the finger,” but it is generally viewed as vulgar and offensive if not openly hostile and aggressive.

A battle line was drawn, and the showdown came regarding the public display of the Confederate flag at the state capitol in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition to its negative historical association with slavery and segregation, the Confederate flag is presently the symbol of choice for many white supremacist hate groups. Seeing it fly publicly from any building is as offensive as “giving someone the finger.” Regardless of the ideals of those who fought for the Confederate states in the Civil War, today this flag has become a symbol of racism and hate often seen in the company of the Nazi swastika.

Flying the Confederate flag at your house is indisputably your right. It is not against the law to believe that white Protestant men are superior to all other humans.

Flying the Confederate flag at a public business is a symbolic way to say, “Aryans only—all others keep out!” It seems a strange way to advertise, unless you wish to restrict your clientele.

We are all free to believe as we wish, or as we’ve been carefully taught. We have to be taught to hate. I hope that we can learn to understand and respect each other.

It is not my intention to harass Mr. Hauser, rather to enlighten him and the community about why his display of the Confederate flag at Mr. Cigar in Apple Valley is offensive and hurtful to family, neighbors and me. This is not about which side should have won the Civil War, which side was worse than the other when it came to being savage. It has everything to do with feeling respected and welcome in our community.

I welcome discussion and hope Mr. Hauser and other members of the community will join me in frank dialogue. The Tri-State Unity Coalition meets at 7:00 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Milford Methodist Church, on Ann St. in Milford. We are a coalition of individuals and community organizations committed to:

• Creating a community in which harmony and justice thrive
• Promoting and enhancing inter-group understanding, cultural awareness and respect for differences
• Supporting individuals and groups who are survivors of prejudice and/or hate crimes

We look forward to the opportunity to meet you there.

[Rosanne La Russo Kolberg is chairperson of the Tri-State Unity Coalition.]