Myrtle Beach Affected by the Confederate Flag Debate – ACC Backs Out
Posted by Will Parker
August 13, 2009The Atlantic Coast Conference recently revoked its agreement to play the league baseball tournament in Myrtle Beach. The previous agreement required the tournament to be held in Myrtle Beach from 2011 until 2013. The main reason for the ACC backing out of the agreement centers on the issue of the Confederate flag.
This flag, which many still consider to be a symbol of South Carolina heritage, can be seen flying on South Carolina House grounds. The NAACP has threatened a boycott until someone takes the appropriate steps to have the flag removed.
The ACC never attained approval for the tournament in Myrtle Beach from the South Carolina chapter of the NAACP, which is at the forefront of the flag removal debate. The NAACP has said that it will fight from having any sporting events held in South Carolina until the flag is removed.
The revenue that would have been generated in Myrtle Beach during these tournaments will now benefit North Carolina. Although South Carolina’s neighbor may have engaged in the Civil War on the side of the Confederacy as well, it is obviously considered to be much more advanced in the racial and political arena.
The ACC commissioner, John Swofford, said that it would be difficult for any other tournament to be held in South Carolina in the future. Lonnie Randolph, South Carolina’s NAACP president has said, “I am certain Swofford learned that it is ok by South Carolina legislative standards to proudly insult an entire state population by waving a flag that instead should be displayed in a museum.” Swofford stated that by allowing the flag to stay on house grounds it would be sending an incorrect message that the ACC is not truly representing equality and human rights.
The NAACP has said that that South Carolina should find a way to be proud of its heritage and respectful of its citizens, which can only be accomplished when the Confederate flag is removed from State House grounds. The ACC is backing this decision.
This debate has been long standing. Not only are the businesses of Myrtle Beach affected by the boycott, but also the people of South Carolina. The lost revenue could have helped to bring many local businesses out of their slumps and bring additional vacationers to the area in the future. The flag is a symbol of the past, not the present nor the future. Retiring it to the museum may be the best idea in order to demonstrate the progress that this state has undergone since that time. The last thing this area and/or state needs is more lost revenue!
For the full story on the controversy, click on: http://www.thestate.com/sports/story/886047.html?storylink=pd.
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