On a recent road trip through California, My husband and I decided to stop at Calico Ghost Town. This Ghost Town is an old silver mining town that has been around since 1881. It is part of the San Bernardino County Regional Parks. Purchased by Walter Knott in The 1950’s to be restored and later declared a Historical Landmark in 2005 by our then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It really is a charming place to visit and explore, a great place to enjoy with your family.

Unfortunately while walking in to many of the amiable gift shops we discovered confederate flag merchandise. We became immediately uncomfortable with all of the merchandise around and then began to think, not only is it culturally insensitive but also historically inaccurate. What did California have to do with the confederate army? How would I explain this to my children if we were to decide to take our children back? I didn’t see the relevance to this and what it had to do with our State. History aside I still can’t fathom why merchants of Calico Ghost Town would deem it appropriate to sell this merchandise. California actually fought for the union during the Civil War. I am sure that it is not their intentions to seem insensitive and maybe they don’t understand the impact it has on most people, so I am writing to say it is unnerving to walk in to these shops and see confederate flag merchandise on display. To the majority it is offensive, it represents a great divide in our country that began over an election of our 16th President (Abraham Lincoln) who ran on an anti-slavery platform, which many of the southern states disagreed with and thus began to secede from the union. 

The thing I love most about California is how progressive we are on many issues. I was born and raised in this great state and I have always been proud to say so. We have a great history here and it is disappointing to have to see this and try to explain to visitors from around the world why we would display and sell a symbol that meant nothing positive in our country.  I would love to keep preserving and advocating California’s’ culture and ideals which is that of equality and progress.