Skip to content

Reader voiced concerns about the Confederate flag on jerseys

I am writing to say it is odd that your paper chose to run a story from the Associated Press on NASCAR's removal of Confederate flags from their races, instead of owning-up to the fact your local hockey team still features the same flag on their jers

I am writing to say it is odd that your paper chose to run a story from the Associated Press on NASCAR's removal of Confederate flags from their races, instead of owning-up to the fact your local hockey team still features the same flag on their jerseys.

The fact is, Canada has no associated history with a flag that is symbol of a lesser era and of a group whose very existence is that of failure and division.

In this world climate, the message being sent is one of segregation and hatred.

Perhaps the idea here in a predominantly white community is that there is no need for change.

But I would argue because white communities haven't changed, we are continuing to see such climates occur. Make no mistake about it, Native Canadian lives have been just as readily dismissed as Black Americans and by ignoring the implications of what is occurring and continuing to bear such a symbol, there is implicit participation.

It is full and obvious.

Whether or not said local sports team wants to take part in supporting such a symbol, isn't only on them. Sports teams are a part and parcel of their surrounding communities.

So no, this isn't just a reflection on the history the team has established, but a reflection on the community as a whole.

Thank you for your time, Nolan Kuffner.