[La Flama Blanca]

This profile picture is entirely inappropriate. I made the staff team, including the admins and Raider, aware of my views on March 15th. Clearly, my expressing my opposition made no difference as the profile picture has remained. 

The profile picture in question has both Robert E. Lee and the Confederate battle flag within it. The Confederate battle flag is a recognized symbol of racism and white supremacy. It once flew above the South Carolina State Capitol until it was taken down in the aftermath of a mass shooting on a historically black church perpetrated by a white supremacist. In the years that followed, it has been removed across the nation - in retailers and states. Polls suggest that a majority of Americans view the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism, with a strong majority of African-Americans holding these views. 

Robert E. Lee is an equally polarizing character. There is a reason that his statues have been taken down across the nation. In fact, his namesake school (Washington and Lee University) has decided to rename itself in the coming years. Lee’s legacy is inextricably linked to racism. He led the Confederate Army, an army of traitors, against the United States in the Civil War. The Civil War was conducted in an effort to maintain slavery in the United States.

The profile picture is racist, plain and simple. 

I told the admins and Raider that I found the profile picture incredibly divisive and inappropriate. I wrote, and I quote, “I really think you should change that profile picture if you are planning on remaining a staff member in this community. We welcome people here. Not make them feel unwelcome and uncomfortable.” 

Clearly, I wasn’t the only person that had their qualms about this inappropriate profile picture for a staff member. 

I’m ashamed to be on a staff team that allows this sort of blatant racism. I’m even more annoyed that I had my objections so openly ignored by certain other higher staff members. 

This needs to be changed. This is unacceptable.