NPR logo NPR

Opinion
Waverly Adcock, a sergeant and founder of the West Augusta Guard, prepares his company for inspection and battle at a Civil War re-enactment in Virginia. Sara Smith, whose great-great-grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, holds the Confederate battle flag.

Waverly Adcock, a sergeant and founder of the West Augusta Guard, prepares his company for inspection and battle at a Civil War re-enactment in Virginia. Sara Smith, whose great-great-grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg, holds the Confederate battle flag. Courtesy of Jesse Dukes hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of Jesse Dukes

The Race Card Project: Six-Word Essays

Six Words: 'Must We Forget Our Confederate Ancestors?'

The Confederate flag is a sign of bigotry to some. For others, says reporter Jesse Dukes, it symbolizes family heritage and defiance — but also what he calls a "willful innocence" about U.S. history.

Listen Loading… 7:47
When Sgt. Paul Braun (right) first met Philip, the Iraqi interpreter assigned to his company, he didn't trust him. But after his tour was over, he worked for years to get Philip a visa to come to the U.S.

When Sgt. Paul Braun (right) first met Philip, the Iraqi interpreter assigned to his company, he didn't trust him. But after his tour was over, he worked for years to get Philip a visa to come to the U.S. Storycorps hide caption

itoggle caption Storycorps

StoryCorps

American Soldier, Iraqi Interpreter: From Strangers To 'Brothers'

When Sgt. Paul Braun was serving in Iraq, his company was assigned an interpreter they called Philip. At first the two men were wary of each other; later, Braun worked to bring Philip to the states.

Listen Loading… 3:49
When Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school in eighth grade, he started work as a locksmith. Now he and his son, Philip Jr., run their own shop in Manhattan.

When Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school in eighth grade, he started work as a locksmith. Now he and his son, Philip Jr., run their own shop in Manhattan. StoryCorps hide caption

itoggle caption StoryCorps

StoryCorps

For Father-And-Son Locksmiths, The Key Is Hard Work

Phil Mortillaro dropped out of school and became a locksmith. Now he owns a Manhattan locksmith shop with his son, Philip Jr. Philip says his dad and the store have become neighborhood institutions.

Listen Loading… 2:17
Native American protesters have been demonstrating against Columbus Day in Seattle for several years. Protest organizers say Columbus should not be credited with discovering the Western Hemisphere at a time when it was already inhabited.

Native American protesters have been demonstrating against Columbus Day in Seattle for several years. Protest organizers say Columbus should not be credited with discovering the Western Hemisphere at a time when it was already inhabited. Elaine Thompson/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Elaine Thompson/AP

Code Switch

Seattle Swaps Columbus Day For 'Indigenous Peoples' Day'

The city is the latest to honor Native Americans instead of Christopher Columbus. But not everyone is happy about the change.