Now I’m not from “The South”.  Unless California qualifies.  And I don’t think any Southerners would support that.

So I’ve been thinking about the whirlwind around the symbolism of  the Confederate Battle Flag.  And how South Carolina removed it from their Capitol grounds today.  And how golfer Bubba Watson was going to have it removed from the roof of the “General Lee” car from the “Dukes of Hazard” TV Show that he owns.

All in the name of removing something that could be deemed offensive.

Now I know that anyone who is going to do something as heinous as the murders in South Carolina will find whatever symbols or rationale to support their twisted ideas in their head.

But I don’t think pulling down the South Carolina Battle flag is going to have any real effect.

In all likelihood the next crazy wacko will just feel more emboldened because the last guy got good publicity from it and he got people to take some action (taking down the flag) because of what he did.

Not a good message.

I also think that just like Texas often thumbing their nose at the Federal Government, now the whole South has an additional reason to resent those from both coasts who look down on The South as a whole.  Representing them as gun toting, NASCAR watching, Country Music loving, rednecks.

Now some of that may be true.  But that may not be bad.  It just might be misunderstood.

And The South has always been understood by The North or the Liberal Left.  And it might just be the flag removal pressure is another way to marginalize The South.

And all this is more likely than not to even increase the Southern Pride and try to distinguish themselves even more.

Even Kid Rock tells Confederate Flag Protestors they can kiss his %$#.

So what do they say?  Any publicity is good publicity?  Not necessarily.  But if you know who your audience is, your response can very well keep you in the conversation.  For example,

• South Carolina Governor, Nikki Hailey – playing to both state constituents and national media needed to toe a more politically correct line
• Golfer, Bubba Watson – national and international sponsors support his living; and he has a nice guy attitude he wants to preserve – still not sure if that plays well in The South though
• Kid Rock – he’s always fighting the establishment; he represents the common man; someone who plays by his own rules – like The South; and his fans love him for that
• Donald Trump – he’s not part of this fight too much but he attacks everything that is politically correct because his Republican counterparts are so bland in their opinions; he says what many, in the Conservative wing of the Republican Party, are thinking and wishing mainstream Republicans would do and say more

So how does this pertain to your business?  Are you taking the bull by the horns and getting your message out to your customers?  Or are you letting your competitors paint you into a corner?

In your business you may not have to deal with iron-hot moral and political issues.  But you still need to help your prospects and clients understand what sets you apart from everyone else and why they must buy your products or services. And buy them now.

Don’t be tentative.  Be bold!