A Confederate flag on private property next to the football field at Walpole High School in Massachusetts has irked many in the school community for years.
This year’s shootings at a South Carolina church has reignited the contentious issue.
Members of the school community gathered Thursday night to discuss the flag and its impact on the school’s image, as many visitors think the flag is part of the school campus.
"We have repeatedly heard from townspeople that Walpole is not a racist town, does not want to be perceived that way," said school committee chair Nancy Gallivan. "We've discussed the need to approach this as a community and we hope to determine increased actions that will educate our students further.
The flag, which the school has mostly blocked by erecting a banner, was put up by a Walpole High graduate several years ago. He's now very sick, according to his wife, who says they have no plans to remove it.
"I think because it's a matter of principle, our freedom to protect our First Amendment rights," she said over the phone.
"It's still there. It's hard not to get angry at seeing it. It's a disgusting sight," said parent Ron Wilkes. I get angry at the fact that this is what others in other towns and other communities see us as, and there's no getting around that."
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
School officials hope at the very least that they can use the flag as a teachable moment and help students understand its meaning and history.
Additionally, some would like to see the name of the school's mascot, the Rebels, replaced because of its connection to Confederate imagery.
