I first reported on this issue in The Strategic Mediator in June of this year. Most recently the Miami Herald is reporting that the confederate flag controversyin Homestead, Florida, appears to be dragging on. The City is refusing to apologize for the flag’s appearance in a Veterans’ Day parade last year because it was an event “where the city had no say over who would participate.” And, although it appears that most parties to the dispute, the City of Homestead, the Chamber of Commerce and the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ group, are all ready and willing to mediate, one main party, the NAACP, is keeping their next step a secret for now.
The Herald reports that the confederate flag is “to some a symbol of Southern pride, to others a symbol of hate and violence” which is why its unexpected appearance at last year’s parade was so divisive. Time is ticking on this issue as a decision about whether the parade will be canceled needs to be made by September. Will the show go on? Will mediation prove an effective tool to diffuse emotions and reach agreement? Stay tuned…..