A popular Austin TX band, Uncle Lucius, kicked off a Southeastern U.S. tour recently. In Charlotte, North Carolina (a state whose growing neo-Confederate frenzy I have covered here, here, and here), at the music venue Puckett's Farm Equipment, they were disappointed to find a 5-by-8-foot Confederate flag serving as the backdrop on their stage.
Austin360 reports:
They wrote a note that they attached to the flag and posted a photo of it to the band’s Facebook page. It rapidly spread through social media back home. “It just seemed like the right thing to do,” the band’s drummer Josh Greco said via email Wednesday. “Rather than deny and avoid the elephant in the room, we decided to take the opportunity to make the best out of the situation. We are out here every night because we believe in the power of music to bring people together.”Here's their message. I, for one (a North Carolina progressive Christian), am appropriately awed, and humbled.“The letter was not out of character for us,” he added, noting that the “message of oneness and empathy” is prevalent in a number of the band’s songs. “We covered the 5’x8′ flag with a black sheet during our set and made sure the fans in attendance got their money’s worth. We will most likely play Charlotte in the future, but it will be at a different venue,” he said.
Thank you, gentlemen. Y'all come back now, hear?