Americans really can’t seem to get along these days. We are torn on so many different issues, and argue over things that should have ended a hundred years ago. Leave it to a theme park to do their best to try and bring people together. Six Flags Over Texas has decided to remove the Confederate States of America flag and replace all six flags of Six Flags with the American Flag.
The park released a statement late Friday stating that they would be retiring the Confederate States of America Flag flag from being on display at the park. In fact they would be removing all flags and replacing them with American Flags.
“At Six Flags Over Texas we strive every single day to make people happy and to create a fun, thrilling and safe family friendly experience for our guests. We always choose to focus on celebrating the things that unite us versus those that divide us. As such, we have changed the flag displays in our park to feature American flags,” said Sharon Parker, Manager of Communications for Six Flags Over Texas.
The confederate states of America flag that flew over Six Flags Over Texas.
The decision comes after the protest in Charlotesville, VA last weekend, despite telling TMZ earlier this week that the park would still fly the flag.
According to CBS DFW the park says it’s all about giving the guests a point to focus on, without dividing them.
“We’re still the same. We’re still Six Flags Over Texas, however, we want to focus on celebrating things that unite our guests versus divide our guests. Therefore, the American flag is what you will see as you enter our front gates.”
“Outside of us removing the Confederate States of America Flag wherever it is on display … The Six Flags Over Texas that you come out and enjoy on a regular basis will still be here to welcome you … the rides and attractions are going to be the main focal point but we definitely don’t want to offend anyone while they’re having a great time at our park.”
Six Flags Over Texas is the original Six Flags park, and the six flags that are on display each represent the governing nations that once ruled over Texas. The flags included Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederate States of America and of course the United States.
While Six Flags has made the decision to change the flags, this isn’t the first time the flags have changed. The flags change all the time, mostly to reflect different holidays and events going on in the park.
While many will be quick to say that Six Flags is quick to cave to pressure from whatever groups, there’s no indication that there has been any pressure from outside groups. The decision seems to have come from within their own management, in response to the protests in which political groups, including KKK, and White Nationalists have been seen carrying the traditional Confederate Battle Flag (stars and bars). That flag has been a rallying point for hatred in the past few weeks, so the decision to remove anything having to do with the confederacy doesn’t come as that much of a surprise.
While we rarely make political statements, I feel I must make this one. It is said that if we forget history we are doomed to repeat it, however if we hold onto the past too much, we can never move ahead into the future. We applaud the decision by Six Flags.
Be nice, let love win, and forget the hate.
Stay tuned for more from Six Flags, and be sure to get social with us on Facebook, and follow along with us on Twitter @BehindThrills for the latest updates!
