Ban Confederate Flag in Utah
The Confederate battle flag is a part of our country's history, but it is not to be celebrated. We don't celebrate winning the wars of America's enemies by flying their flags.
For those who cry it is the flag of their heritage, I would say that heritage is treasonous, terrorist and extremely hate-based. The real flag of their heritage is the white flag of surrender. The South declared war on America in allegiance to white supremacy, and they lost. They fought to rape, mutilate, torture, murder and sell human beings.
I urge Gov. Gary Herbert to work with the Legislature to pass a bill banning the display and sale of the Confederate battle flag on all government property.
The flag represents a deeply shameful period for our nation, and the harmful, hateful effects of that time are still felt today by African-Americans and the nation as a whole.
This symbol of domestic terrorism, hatred and intolerance does not belong in public spaces, or on government property. Our state should not be associated with these shameful messages.
I feel very strongly about this issue. A racist serial killer, Joseph Paul Franklin, murdered two of my friends who were black—Ted Fields, 20, and David Martin, 18—in Liberty Park Aug. 20, 1980. Franklin purportedly was a proud Southerner who was lured to Salt Lake City by a fellow white supremacist. Franklin allegedly joined the LDS Church because blacks weren't allowed in the priesthood. When the church lifted the ban, he quit the church.
The ripple effects of the Confederate flag came to Utah because racism is everywhere, even Utah. We have come so far, but we have so far to go!
My friends should still be alive. Out of respect to their memory and their loved ones, I feel strongly that Utah must lead the nation in supporting the removal of the Confederate flag from all government grounds.
Terry Jackson-Mitchell
Salt Lake City
Hard to Read
I was once asked why I find City Weekly's online edition hard, impossible, to read. After looking at it for a couple of months, and not clicking on many stories, I have an answer: It looks the stories are all just thrown on a page. There is no organization, no meaningful separation of stories, just a lot of things tossed randomly on a page.
Take it for what it is worth, but the City Weekly I used to pick up regularly on Thursday hasn't been in my home for more than a year, and although I click on the website regularly, I never read a story. It's jumbled, tossed, difficult to read and a mess.
Eric Lealand
Salt Lake City
Gone but Not Forgotten
I am the niece of the late Max Mercier, and Jeannot Mercier's sister. I really enjoyed reading Ted Scheffler's review of Eric DeBonis' Paris Bistro ["Parisian Nights," July 9, City Weekly]. You are so right, there is a lack of French food in this city!
I am happy to hear that DeBonis and his staff are doing great. He reminds me so much of my Uncle Max. He has the very same ambitious drive!
Thank you for your kind words and memories, it was nice to see that my family has not been forgotten.
Murielle "Frenchy" Mercier
Salt Lake City
Correction: Let's Do It: West Valley City's Official Early History was written by Michael Gorrell. City Weekly's July 9 cover story, "Chesterfield USA," incorrectly identified the author.
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