Mahoning Valley ministers reflect on meaning of Confederate flag

For the Rev. Gena Thornton, the Confederate flag “is a sign of terrorism.”

The retired pastor of Grace African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Warren acknowledged for some, the flag was and will remain a “part of history.” That, she noted, is because there are two sides to every issue.

“For black people, there are horrific memories associated with the Confederate flag and what has happened to African Americans in this country,” she said. “It’s a sign of being taunted, hunted, separated.”

The Rev. William C. King Jr., pastor of Price Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 920 Dryden Ave., said for him, the Confederate flag represents “the wounds, sores and scars of slavery.”

He said his wife, Ruthie, grew up in Decator, Ala., and she and others in the South experienced “the denial of rights.” He said the flag was associated with the Ku Klux Klan in the South.

The Rev. Mr. King said he believed the Confederate flag should never have been placed on government grounds.

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