Another way to do it

Rarely do I say this, but in his recent column, “For human advancement,” I mostly agree with John Brummett. He asserts that we Arkansans “should vigilantly record, teach and remember [our disgrace in the Confederacy], even with monuments or statues in the appropriate compartments.” This was said in his assessment of the merit of state Rep. Charles Blake’s attempt to change the meaning of the star atop the word “Arkansas” on our state flag from our involvement in the Confederacy to the recognition of our great Native Americans we oppressed so many years ago.

That is where my agreement with Mr. Brummett ends. To him and Representative Blake, I believe the correction of Arkansas Code 1-4-101 should be done thusly.

Present wording: “(b) The three (3) stars so placed are designed to represent the three (3) nations, France, Spain, and the United States, which have successively exercised dominion over Arkansas. … The blue star above the word “Arkansas” is to commemorate the Confederate States of America.”

Corrected to: “(b) The three (3) blue stars pointing upward are designed to represent the three (3) nations, France, Spain, and the United States, which have successively exercised dominion over Arkansas. … The blue star below the word “Arkansas” and pointing downward is to commemorate the Confederate States of America.”

This would indeed vigilantly record, teach and remember our past, while making our future one that extends opportunity to all.

BRAD WELCH

Fayetteville