I like most of what he’s saying, but I still come back to this: fuck what the flag might mean to some people. This is like saying, “Sure the swastika is kind of fucked, but to me it stands for standing up for what you think is right, no matter what! I stand up for my beliefs, and that’s why I have one tattooed on my…

I can only speak as a Iowa-raised, upper-middle-class white guy who has never experienced real racism directed at me my entire life. I have no other meaningful experience to contribute to the discussion.

I’m Charleston SC, am an alumni of the University of South Carolina which is about 5 blocks away from the monument. My dad is Puerto Rican and Mom was greek, so I didn’t exactly look like a “native” Sandlapper, but I never really experienced much hostility over ethnic makeup and could not imagine what being Black…

I’m in Charlotte and have had a pretty similar experience in terms of who you meet in the metro area... and what you see/meet outside of it.

He’s the best. If anyone missed his thoughts on Ferguson, it’s just as moving.

Frank, a white offensive guard on my high school football team

Agreed - there’s nothing but love in the heart of a guy who lives by the credo Yo soy fiesta.

Of course. I in no way meant Gronk was a racist, merely that the difference between him and Ben Watston in eloquence and (seemingly) intelligence, is staggering.

Ditto... in our current discourse it really is difficult to have a reasonable conversation or opinion because it has to fit into 140 characters...

I have no idea why there would be any amount of hand-wringing on this. 28% of South Carolina is black and the flag, loveliness of individuals aside, is an official statement telling them they ain’t shit and, as the birthplace of secessionist thought, we yearn for a time where we could, if we wish, decide to own you.

Especially 20 miles east. Fuckin sharks, man.

Specifically, the “Museum of Terrible Ideas”

Flying the rebel flag is not about freedom of expression, it is an open act of treason. Plain and simple.

His statement is beautiful.

Hard to believe this guy played the same position, on the same team, in the same league, as Rob Gronkowski

“It’s a flag that represents the worst of us...”

Don’t often comment, but I just wanted to say that Watson’s post is great.

This guy is really, really good at taking nuanced stances. I wish more people were like him.

It’s nice to hear when NFL players aren’t being total monsters.