Political maneuvering

The American flag and Confederate flag were both used as the battle flags of the Civil War. Both flags have been and are still being waved by some who promulgate hate and separatism in America. Every national flag in the world has extremist groups that wave those flags to promote separatism within their countries.

Politicians are using the unfortunate incident in Charleston, South Carolina, to vilify the Confederate battle flag for political gains.

In Memphis, some local politicians are preaching sanctity for African Americans by removing the tomb of Nathan Bedford Forrest from one of the city public parks to Elmwood.

I am a proud black American, but I know my personal Irish and Choctaw history as well. The people of color in my generation are several hundred years removed from Africa.

I have African-American friends who were born in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, who came to the United States to be naturalized as American citizens.

To me, these friends are true African Americans, and some of them happen to be white. Where do we go from here?