Black SC student won’t rehang Confederate flag

BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — A black University of South Carolina Beaufort student has decided not to put a Confederate flag back in his dorm window even though school officials say he may do so.

The Beaufort Gazette reported Thursday (http://bit.ly/tjK9ya) 19-year-old Byron Thomas says he doesn’t believe the flag is a racist symbol and that it stands for Southern pride and states’ rights.

Thomas took it down after school officials asked him to but broadcast his position in internet video that got 70,000 views within days. Last week, the school changed its stance, citing freedom of speech issues.

Thomas says he’s gotten a lot of encouragement from people, even if they disagree with him. Thomas says his generation must form its own opinions so issues that divided earlier generations might be better understood.

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Information from: The Beaufort Gazette, http://www.beaufortgazette.com