In Charleston shooting aftermath, best way to move on? #tellusatoday

The Charleston, S.C., shooting, President Obama's use of the N-word to discuss racism and the Confederate flag's removal in Alabama sparked debate on improving race relations. Facebook comments edited for clarity and grammar:

Cultural symbolism is powerful, and the Confederate flag represents a symbol of a culture that defied the Union, supported slavery and later passed state laws to deny African Americans many rights.

That's why liberals, conservatives, those who are politically unaffiliated and those in the middle of the political spectrum are attacking the flag.

—Rick Allen

Race does not matter. We, as a society, make it matter, and we need to knock it off.

—Rebecca McBean Coffin

The fact that the president used the N-word demeans the office of the presidency. What is our country coming to?

—Doug Foster

Words have power. But if we cannot use a word to refer to the misuse of the word itself (in an appropriate context), how can we deal with its power?

—Andy Pober

Letter to the editor

Charleston is example for the nation

I cried on seeing the united crowd, blacks and whites holding hands, crossing the Charleston, S.C., bridge and hearing the AME pastor speak. It felt good after six years of unceasing hate from every direction. That was my America crossing that bridge. May it be a bridge to a restored nation.

Charleston is showing the America I knew existed beneath the layer of division recently shown. It is an example of rejecting the litany of hate fostering racial antagonism. Pray America does not waste this moment.

Charleston has demonstrated the fruits of relationships it has developed between races over the years, and put the lie to people locked in the past, trying to paint the South with a Jim Crow brush.

Farrell Hope; Appleton, Wis.

We asked followers on Twitter how to improve race relations, and for opinions on Obama's race comments, which included the N-word. Tweets edited for clarity and grammar:

President Obama's words were articulate. Hate can't thrive when you get to know someone.

—@major1029

Everyone needs to think about their words and actions. Treat all people with dignity. Always.

—@cathej_01

Democrats need to own up to the KKK and white supremacist Jim Crow. We need to stop hyphenating Americans. We need to put God back in our country.

—@donnakaye2014

There needs to be a commitment by police to weed out racist elements on their forces. Religious leaders need to preach respect for all races.

@JeffOstach

If people had half a brain, they would realize that President Obama was using the N-word to make his point. It was not derogatory. Stop making it more.

—@charleesgrma

Whenever a racially inflammatory word is used, it cannot help the situation.

—@allenws3000

Follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday for more of the discussion.