Wilmington residents and visitors discuss Confederate memorials

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington played a significant role in the Civil War, and people who live and visit the city have different opinions on how this history is being remembered.

The Confederate battle flag flies high at the South Carolina state capitol, while the Port City has its own reminders of its Confederate history. Near 3rd and Market streets a statue stands honoring George Davis, a senator and attorney general of the Confederate States. Nearby there is a war memorial for Confederate soldiers.

James Carver said this tribute to fallen soldiers is about knowing our city’s history.

“You don’t want to completely forget it. I would hate to see it all removed, all traces of it removed, because like I said it is good to be reminded of our not so pleasant past,” Carver said.

But he said he feels differently about the flying the actual Confederate flag

“The Confederate flag flying, in a weird way, is an act of sedition. It was an attempt to separate this country, and it does nothing to bring it together,” Carver said.

Jada Taylor says remembering is a hard thing to do.

“As African Americans we don’t see that in a positive light. We see that in a negative light, and to us it is just a reminder of what we constantly have to go through,” Taylor said.

Andy Crosby, who was visiting from Charleston, SC, said memorials have a place in each city.

“I think you have to be real careful when you start taking flags or monuments or anything like that. I think a monument that sits somewhere it is not flown to be in someone’s face or anything, then I think it serves a purpose,” Crosby said. “As far as the flag is concerned I think it shouldn’t be on any state buildings, just put it in a museum where it belongs.