Time the Confederate flag got the red card

THE power of symbolism should never be underestimated.

Symbols, and how they express beliefs can too often be expressions of hatred, confrontation, triumphalism and aggression. Just this week, the July 12 celebrations in the North saw the usual, but diminishing, stand offs and intimidation around a community’s ”right to march”.

That community, of course, would point to restrictions imposed on their national flag by another community in areas where they are in a position to do so. The union flag and the Tricolour may be just symbols but they are sparks in an incendiary situation as well.