Getting respect means giving it to all cultures

Editor:

In 1 Peter 2:17 it says, Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.

In a region of our nation where heritage is touted as being nearly equivalent to God, Mom, and apple pie, we Southerners are almost as intolerant of the heritage of others as are many conquering dictators who are eager to destroy any symbols of the regime they have replaced.

Many people want to force others to show respect to the heritage of the white mans pre-civil war South, taken from them by force in a war that ended in defeat at the hands of the accursed Yankees.

Many want to force others to have respect for the heritage of the African-Americans pre- slavery ancestry and traditions, taken from them by force from slave traders and owners.

Some extremists choose to impose the respect they demand from others by rallying around a replica of a flag that flew over a proud nation of people who are no longer citizens of the Confederate States of America. We are now citizens of the United States of America.

Other extremist choose to use impose upon others a forced respect of the historical customs and culture of a people who are no longer citizens of a proud African tribe or foreign nation, but who are also, like the white Southern, citizens of the United States of America.

God commands us to show respect to others. Its up to each of us to keep the respect of others once we receive it.

Rev. Jerry H. Miller

Harlem