by Kristin Harty
Cumberland Times-News

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CUMBERLAND — A brochure explaining the history of the Confederate flag never made it into the hands of Allegany County students last spring, but racial tension wasn’t the overtly stated reason.

The glossy brochure, produced by Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, includes a rendering of the Christian cross and a depiction of St. Andrew, who, the brochure says, “was crucified by the Romans on an ‘X’ shaped cross for being Christian. The St. Andrews Cross is in the pattern for many Confederate flags.”

Ed Taylor, president of the Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization, said he received the go-ahead last March from school officials to distribute the brochure, which includes color renderings of four versions of the flag, including the most widely recognized “Confederate Battle Flag.”

But in April, after 1,800 brochures had been printed and delivered to two middle schools, Superintendent Bill AuMiller changed his mind.

Allegany County schools made national headlines in 2008 after a number of racial incidents led Fort Hill High School’s principal to ban wearing or displaying the Confederate flag on school property. Groups of concerned citizens formed on both sides of the issue.

“I was told they were just putting out factual information about the war,” AuMiller said Tuesday night, just hours after a closed Board of Education hearing when Taylor appealed the decision. A board policy stipulates that the superintendent has the authority to review all printed materials distributed for free at schools.

‘When it came out, there were some misrepresentations — some political messages and religious symbols,” said AuMiller, who gave preliminary approval for Taylor’s project before the brochures were printed. “That’s where I had a problem with it.”

The board didn’t rule on the matter Tuesday, but will likely make a decision in the coming weeks, said Karen Treber, vice president. AuMiller, who retires at the end of this month, will be replaced July 1 by David Cox.

Regardless of who’s in charge, Taylor doesn’t plan to let the matter rest. During Tuesday’s hearing, he asked the board to allow him to distribute fliers for the next five years on behalf of the cemetery organization, which has built hundreds of monuments for Confederate soldiers who had no grave stones.

“I’m tired of hearing that these soldiers fought for slavery,” said Taylor, who said he spent about $420 of his own money to print the brochures, He wants his money back.

“We’re considering appealing it to the state board of education,” he said.
During the closed hearing, from which the public and press were barred, concerns about racial tensions weren’t explicitly stated, Taylor said.

But later, during the public comment period of the board’s regular meeting, one citizen spoke his mind.

“I thought we had put this matter to rest. Obviously, we haven’t,” said Robin Wood, who was among concerned citizens who responded in 2008 after Confederate flags were used for racial intimidation at Fort Hill High School. His group asked the board to ban the wearing or displaying of the Confederate flag across the school system, but that request was denied.

On the back of Taylor’s flier is a disclaimer: “The Cumberland Historic Cemetery Organization condemns any individual or organization that uses these historic American flags to intimidate or participate in racially discriminatory practices.”

Inside, a portion reads: “During the first half of the 20th Century the Confederate Flag enjoyed renewed popularity.”

“This is misleading,” Wood said. “That flag was used for the intimidation of African Americans who were out there trying to enjoy their constitutional rights. … I don’t think at this particular time, with the problems we have in our community, that we need to have a public issue right now with the Confederate flag.”

 

Webmaster Comment –

Please write or call the new Superintendant of Schools for Allegany County Mr. David Cox in support of allowing this brochure to be distributed.  The children of today must be educated on the true meaning of the Confederate flag if we are ever to make any progress in restoring it’s image.  Superintendant Cox can be reached at 301-759-2000 or by emailing him at ”david.cox@acps.k12.md.us”.