Frank Myatt: Learn from Charleston

Try as the national media might to paint the South as racist, the recent tragedy in Charleston, S.C., has shown that we of the South are not racist or haters of blacks, but we love our neighbors regardless of color.

The rest of the country, including Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, could well take a lesson from the people of Charleston, who, regardless of race, have shared the pain of their neighbors. They turn out in the tens of thousands to show sympathy, not to riot, burn, pillage and murder. Perhaps we are just more civilized than other parts of the country.

I’ve heard no one in the media mention U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who no doubt was elected by both white and black constituents.

The Confederate flag is not a symbol of hate or racism – it’s just part of our history.

This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Frank Myatt: Learn from Charleston."