GM Pressured To Separate From Kid Rock

The debate over the Confederate Flag continues to rage in the wake of last month's church shooting in South Carolina. NASCAR has asked fans to not fly the flag at its events. TV Land succumbed to the pressure of sponsors and cancelled "The Dukes of Hazzard" from its lineup. Lawmakers in South Carolina voted to remove the flag from the grounds of its State Capitol. Now, civil rights activists are going after Kid Rock and General Motors.

According to an article at freep.com, Al Sharpton's National Action Network has requested a meeting with General Motors CEO Mary Barra to discuss the automaker's relationship with Kid Rock. Kid Rock's "Born Free" is featured in Chevy Truck commercials, and GM is the main sponsor of Kid Rock's current tour (w/ Foreigner; 10 shows at DTE Energy Music Theater begin August 7). Reverend Charles Williams II from the Detroit chapter of N.A.N. has openly demanded that GM sever its ties with Kid Rock over his use of the Confederate Flag at concerts. Chevrolet released this statement according to the article: "We are committed to our sponsorship of Kid Rock's summer tour and are confident that he will provide his fans, many of whom are proud Chevrolet owners, with a spectacular concert experience that celebrates American Freedom." Kid Rock responded, VIA Fox News, "Please tell the people protesting they can kiss my as...sk me some questions."

Last week, we had a good debate about the flag; at NASCAR races, on state property, and overall in general. I have made my stance known, I am not a fan of the Confederate Flag. I don't feel that it has a place in common society. I feel it is a modern day symbol for racism and white supremacy. It, certainly, has no permanent place on any state's governmental property. (Nor, in my opinion, do religious symbols.) American citizens demonstrating is different than an unofficial symbol of any sort being a permanent fixture on any publicly funded property. I don't like seeing the Confederate Flag flying on private property. But, that's up to that property's individual owner to decide what is right, wrong, or indifferent; as it was NASCAR's right to ask fans to not display the flag, and Kid Rock's right to display it at his shows.

I'm all about equality, all about being sensitive to the feelings of others. But, for the love of almighty, this is going too far. Even a "lib-puss" (as you have labeled me) like me can use some common sense and say enough is enough (like Chevy and GM). Those offended by Kid Rock's display have a choice to not attend. (No, I will not be in attendance.) Those upset by NASCAR's request have a right to not attend races, as much as NASCAR has a right to ask not to fly the flag on their properties. (Notice, they didn't eject or remove those who chose not to listen to the request at Daytona last weekend.) As much as I understand the troubles of those offended by the flag, aren't there more valuable ways to fight the good fight? It just seems to me that the flag is now a topic du'jour, a trendy topic with lots of heat. And, soon enough, it, too, will become watered down, unheard debate...like the boy who cried wolf.