Hogwash! "A lesson in semantics . . ." indeed. Can't you get off the
politically correct attempt to be all things to all people and take a
sincere, reasoned position instead ("Flag's meaning can't be ignored,"
Sunday).
The public, both those "victimized" and others not quite so
supersensitive and shallow, would have been much better served had you
rerun Byron de Arakal's published column on the whole ridiculous affair
("Civil War requiem wasn't whistling Dixie," Wednesday).
GENE BEAVIN
Costa Mesa
I have been going to Newport Harbor football games since 1983. Our
three children graduated from this fine school, our two girls were
cheerleaders and my son played on the team in 1993. The Nov. 9 game was
one of the finest games I have had the pleasure to attend.
This joy and pride was demolished by the insensitive halftime show
("Newport Harbor High apologies for halftime show," Nov. 15). Someone
needs to attend diversity training classes.
KEITH FEARNLEY
Newport Beach
As a graduate of Newport Harbor High School and its music program, I
closely follow the news surrounding my alma mater. I am quite surprised
at the attention that this year's marching show is receiving this late in
the season, and must ask "Why is this legitimate representation of an
integral part of our history causing so much controversy while the
sexually suggestive, inappropriate, mature-viewers-only content of the
cheer squad 'dances' not being equally examined?"
The answer is really quite simple: Sex sells, Confederate flags do
not. Some might suggest that the Confederate flag is degrading to the
African American population of this country. . . . What then is said of
the cheer squads dances being humiliating and degrading to women? I must
remind myself that challenging the cheer and athletic programs in this
city could be likened to challenging God Himself. For he who dares to
challenge God most assuredly will not win.
Those programs that bring home the championship banners to line the
gym, fill seats and bring home national titles, control the eyes, ears
and pocket books of an old liberal city that lines up on Friday nights to
pay homage to the almighty football empire. But as Rome fell, so will
they, and all the while the patient and talented musicians in the music
program wait for their equal opportunity to shine brightly.
Great controversy has often surrounded the Confederate flag as it
represents a less than happy-go-lucky era of our great nation's history.
