First of all, not trying to start an argument, just sharing my view as someone that grew up in Wisconsin, and has only lived down here for a few years. Nor do I want to start a North vs. South thing.
It's interesting to listen to both sides of the debate on whether the confederate flag should be removed. I can understand both arguments, though I'm sure it's easier for someone who isn't emotionally connected to it. I don't really have an opinion either way, if it should stay or go. The media has definitely turned this into a national race war, because that gets more ratings than a mentally ill kid killing nine people in a historic church.
Whether it is taken down or not will probably not effect my life at all, so I don't feel compelled to really express an opinion one way or the other. I will say that I am impressed with the lack of violence and protests. I applaud the people of Charleston for keeping the peace, even when people from out of state try to incite violence.
And lastly, history classes in school must be taught differently depending on where you go to school. From friends I've talked to down here, it sounds like the issue of states rights weighed much more heavily into reasons for the Civil War in the South than it did in the history classes I took in middle school and high school up North.
Anyway, hope I didn't ruffle too many feathers. Just some observations from someone that didn't grow up here.