Can you love the Confederate flag and not hate black people?

I'm writing in regards to your article on “Dueling Hate Rallies” on Sunday's front page of June 26.

The media continues to misinform the public in reference to the Confederate flag and all those who support it and its heritage.

Your article ties in a South Carolina secessionist party group with a North Carolina-based group of the Ku Klux Klan and a Florida-based group of the new Black Panthers party.

The S.C. Secessionist group is not about hate, but rather honoring our Confederate ancestors. The KKK and Black Panthers, on the other hand, are known for their bigoted and violent philosophies.

If this bit of written misinformation wasn't enough, your paper had to include a color photo of a peaceful secessionist rally at the steps of the State House with Confederate flag flying. People will then perceive that any organization supporting the Confederate flag is another hate group. I'm sure there must be a photo of the KKK and Black Panther rallies that were somehow scheduled for the same time. At that event, fights broke out and arrests were made.

To me, it is professional irresponsibility to misrepresent the facts of a story, thus misguiding your readers.

You defamed a Confederate heritage organization by placing them in the same category as two groups with violent agendas.

It's a shame that the media can't be more supportive of groups that honor our Southern heritage.

The writer lives in Conway.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 9:40 AM with the headline "Can you love the Confederate flag and not hate black people?."