Letter | Divisive symbols must no longer be allowed to define South Carolina

Divisive symbols must go

“Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His site.”

Where did the Charleston church shooter lose his childhood innocence? How did he learn enough hate to kill accomplished church-going people who would have done anything for him?

Myrtle Beach and South Carolina need to examine the images that sometimes define them, including the rebel flag on State House grounds, rebel flags in the beachwear shops, rebel flags on license plates on trucks with gun racks, and at huge gun shows at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center and gun/pawn shops around every corner.

An Horry County Council of Churches should work with the County Council to persuade merchants not to sell items that encourage division, fear, and hatred.

Myrtle Beach is a beautiful area filled with loving people. Help this generation of Horry County children to grow up without seeing images that divide, threaten and spread fear.

This story was originally published July 4, 2015 at 5:03 AM with the headline "Letter | Divisive symbols must no longer be allowed to define South Carolina."