CONFEDERATE FLAG BRYAN STATION

And i'm tom kenny.

In our top story at 11...a harsh lesson at a middle school in lexington and school isn't even in session.

Someone raised a confederate flag on the school's flagpole this morning.

The district says it had symbols on it associated with far right anti- government extremist movements as well as slogans disparaging police officers.

Superintendent manny caulk called it a "cowardice" and "despicable act."

The district's police department is investigating.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine talked to the parent of a bryan station middle school student who's using this as a teachable moment.

"it's a sign of hate as far as i'm concerned."

Aaron frazier says he was shocked and angry when he learned a confederate flag...like this one...was raised on the flagpole at bryan station middle school wednesday morning.

That's his 12-year old daughter's school.

Aaron frazier: "it's not something you expect to see or deal with, but it is a reality of life."

A reality he says doesn't disappear...no matter what is going on in the world.

"even though we're dealing with a global pandemic, there's still local things we have to deal with.

Unfortuantely, racism is one of them."

Frazier says he doesn't shy away from hard conversations about race with his kids...though it's sometimes tough.

"it's something you naturally want to shield your kids from.

Make them aware of what's happening around them.

Having to explain to them what the confederate flag is.

What it looks like.

What it means, its symbolism."

Since bryan station is a predominately black school...it makes frazier wonder what the flag really meant.

But...even if it was a prank...frazier says parents have to step out of their comfort zone and talk to their kids...before something like this happens.

"it's just one of those things you have to keep in the back of your mind and understand this could be a potential thing that happens.

Are you ready for when it does?"

In lexington, bobbi mcswine, ab 36 news.

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