Local African American Pastor: “Not the Time to take Down Confederate Flags”
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Members of Freewill Missionary Baptist Church gather for Wednesday night services.
Much has happened in the past week since the Charleston church shootings,
including Governor Bentley ordering the Confederate flags at the capitol to come down.
Pastor Ed Nettles tells his congregation it’s too soon.
“Haven’t had a chance to have a decent funeral for their loved one… and now we talking about a flag,” said Nettles.
Pastor Nettles says we’ve shifted our focus.
“Our focus is no longer grieving with the families, helping them to get through this time. We have now gone from togetherness, love and peace, and sharing to divisiveness.”
But not everyone in his congregation agrees with the pastor.
Some say they see the Confederate battle flag coming down as a victory.
“Even in this time with those 9 deaths, I think that it’s still a good thing. I’m very happy about it,” said Annie Wells.
Jerry Jackson agrees.
“I think it’s a good thing. We need to address issues when they occur. I think it was time, long overdue to be honest,” said Jackson.
Pastor Nettles says he agrees that the flag should not be flown. He just wishes it had been addressed at a different time.
“I think that at some point in time, it will be placed appropriately where those who honestly want to remember and honor their heritage, their true heritage, should be able to do that,” said Nettles.
For the time being, he wants to focus on bringing people together…. Not apart.
