Confederate Flag?

To some native southerners it's a way of displaying their heritage. Others are just flat-out racists.

Have you heard that saying "in communication, the message recieved is the only one that matters?" While many people may not be a racist that display a Confedrate Flag, the fact is, that's the message it sends.

It is a heritage thing. It is just an object...I do not consider it to be a racist symbol at all. In fact, I find it quite sad that some do.

Those who know the real history behind the Civil War (yes, I grew up in the South) know that the Confederate Flag was a symbol that represented States' rights to govern themselves which was effectively taken away from Southern states, thus destroying their economy without giving them much input. Slavery was the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back" and it ignited the fighting, but it didn't start the war.

It's not about being a redneck. Southern plantation owners were far from it. It's not about being a racist either. For those who think that they are making a statement about their racial beliefs by hanging a Confederate flag, then it's a mockery of a very difficult and painful time in US History.

No different (to some of us) than having an original "Betsy Ross" flag. I now live in NY and people up here really have a skewed view of our Southern lifestyle and ideas. It's pretty sad b/c it's a beautiful heritage and one that is frowned upon because of a lack of understanding.

It is considered in poor taste, though, to fly it b/c of the connotations, much like it is considered in poor taste to fly the Nazi flag whether or not you come from German descent and your family brought it over after WW II (in my husband's case). It's a cool artifact from the war, but it lives in our safe deposit box to avoid offending anyone.

If I were from the South and had ancestors who fought in the Civil War, I might not find it to be so distasteful, but I am not. I am a Yankee whose ancestors fought with the First Minnesota Regiment at Gettysburg.

Most inhabitants of the South did not hold slaves, but were merely fighting against what they saw as an oppressive Federal government trying to make them tow the line. Yes, slavery was a MAJOR issue on a moral level, but historically speaking, it was a minor cause of the war. I do not fault people who fought for the South for their views, as it is unfair to place our 21st century morality in the context of their 19th century reality.

If someone can trace their lineage to someone who fought for the Confederacy in the American Civil War, is doing it to honor an ancestor and does NOT hold racist views, I wouldn't have a problem with them displaying the flag. If some punk kid is just trying to be a rebel, well, there are better ways of doing. If someone displays it to be a racist--well, God will judge them on the last day.

The flag that we know as the Confederate flag is the Confederate Battle flag. http://www.civilwarhome.com/battleflag.htm
It was designed to help stop confusion on the battle field between North and South.

The Confederate flag is still flown for many reasons. Some of those reasons are still racism. However, many fly the flag for Southern Pride. The Civil war ultimately began with Lincoln's Proclamation, that was just the event that was the final. Southern states had been talking succession before that.

To say that the Confederate flag represents just those that are racist or wanted to keep slavery alive baffles me. Slavery didn't exist just in the South. It occurred in the North as well, along with indentured servantship (which is basically the same thing). Many well-to-do Northerners including Washington owned slaves.

I have had family members in every American battle leading back to the Revolutionary War. In the Civil War I had family members on both sides. For many it wasn't about slavery. It was about Independence and not agreeing with decisions of the government.

America is a melting pot of cultures. I do agree that we should be united under one flag (which I fly daily at my house), but if we are going to be tolerant of people flying Irish, Italian, Mexican, Jamaican flags, bumper stickers, etc as part of their heritage and pride, how can you judge or deny an American from the South the same right to displaying heritage and pride?

"Cause I'm a redneck woman, I ain't no high class broad
I'm just a product of my raising, I say, ?Hey y'all? and ?Yee-haw?
And I keep my Christmas lights on, on my front porch all year long
And I know all the words to every Charlie Daniels song
So here's to all my sisters out there keeping it country
Let me get a big 'Hell yeah' from the redneck girls like me, hell yeah"

Sorry that's been in my head since I fist seen your title ~~ being silly !

Unfortunately the Rebel flag has been co-opted by white supremacy groups who use it along with the Nazi flag. Yes it (and many others) was used by some regiments during the Civil War, but at the time and still for so many Southerners, it does not equal being pro-slavery or racist. It has always been a southern symbol, and many of us (not necessarily rednecks) feel a twinge and a fondness for it. I hate what it has come to symbolize, but because of that few people down here who are not rednecks or out and out racists will display it or wear it. The swastika symbol used to be used widely for decoration throughout India and the Middle East, but Hitler ruined that. Basically when you see a rebel flag, you have to judge the context and what type of person is flying it, but people like your nephew need to realize that it's a very sore spot for many African-Americans (which is why many of us never display it even though it means something different to us), and what may be innocent "redneck" fun on his part doesn't come off that way to others. It doesn't mean "redneck."

In actuality, the flag is called the St. Andrew's Cross and originated as a Scottish battle flag. It made its way into the Civil War bevause the South had a large Scottish population and many descendants of Scots. It's a shame -it really is a beautiful flag.

I agree with you - but I might have some insight. The confederate flag, to me, has some symbolism synonymous with simple rebellion. It stands for being different and willing to fight (to the death, if needed) for what you believe in... even if you are wrong or lose. Sort of 'ban together with the underdog' mentality.

Shows like the Dukes of Hazard use the flag (on top of the car) as a badge of honor against "the man" and portray "the man" as a pig - literally Boss Hogg - and they will rise up to fight for what is "theirs". This epitomizes the mindset of the flag and it's brandishers as heros who are willing to do whatever necessary to 'win'.

I see alot of teens brandishing this symbol about - exactly in the way that your nephew did. I think they identify with the rebellion piece, rather than the racists piece (at least I hope) - but I think it's a great opener for conversation about what the symbol REALLY stood for and are those values something they want to emulate...

To me this is a horrible symbol and I agree with you that the connotations of racial injustice, bloodshed and war seem to be the forefront of what this symbol represents.

I think the slavery issue is pretty hypocritical, because if anyone realized what the North was doing with child labor and immigrants at that time, it was pretty much the same as slavery. Not all southerners were evil slave drivers (though think about Camp Andersonville and they do appear evil in that context), but the flag doesn't represent that. Or remember anything about Native American history? *shudders* Yet when we fly the American flag, we don't think of that.

That aside, I am not offended by the Confederate flag. To some, it is a racist symbol and they are a bunch of a**holes. To others a heritage thing. To some southern high schools, a mascot. But to most, it's a fashion statement. Much like the popular profile of Che emblazoned on tshirts and everything else. Che killed innocent people, including women and children.

The Nazi Swastika is not originally Nazi. It was used worldwide for centuries as a symbol meaning life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. Symbols only have the power people want to assign it.

Really, though, do you enjoy Thanksgiving? Because our Thanksgiving holiday is to Native Americans what the Confederate flag is to those still sensitive about slavery. So, think about that next time you have a Turkey dinner, but turn up your nose to some teenager with a Confederate flag tshirt on. Disunity like you said is what separated America from England. I don't think most people regard the flag as being unpatriotic. Perhaps anti-strong government. And yes, there are still deep pockets of racism here in the south, mostly in old, small towns with a country bumpkin attitude.

Your post was very interesting. I would suggest you go and really look into the cause of the civil war. It is wrong to say that slavery was the reason for the war. That is not the case. It was the North taking rights away in regards to trade that started the war. Slavery was just an add on so to speak.

I am proud to be from the South and if someone wants to use the confederate flag I certainly do not judge them as "ignorant" or "racist". Perhapes you should do the same.

So many people say that the state flag of MS is wrong because it features the stars and bars. http://www.50states.com/flag/msflag.htm
If I fly my state's flag because I honor and respect my state - does that make me a racist because it sports the stars and bars?

It is a part of our country's history. There were many more issues to the Civil War than just slavery - and many people on both sides lost their lives - and many of those people did not agree with their side's views but fought out of loyalty to their families, culture and heritage.

To continue to point out the differences between the North and South of a century ago, and use flags to do so, is to continue to divide the country. We, you and I, are not the ones who engaged in this war - why must I continue to defend my state and its flag and myself, simply because I live in the south? Not everyone who flies the stars and bars are backwards racists. It is a part of our culture - just like other cultures symbols - many of which some other culture or group find offensive by association. Must everyone give up their history? Be that history good or bad.

So, do we dishonor an entire generation by decrying the flag? Or do we use it as an educational tool to teach how a divided country can heal and unite?

I don't really have strong opinions about the confederate flag. Regardless didn't a lot of people die defending that flag? I don't know about anyone else but I find it hard to believe that so many people died just to retain what they considered a possession.

Do you think perhaps it had more the flavor of todays politics. They were tired of the government telling them what to do in all things. Our constitution is written that states have rights above the federal government. Those states felt those rights were being taken away. Don't know about you but I have read a fair few articles about states currently considering doing exactly what they did back then.

While living in GA/FL for 22yrs and having many friends in AL, MS, TN, AR - the flag has meant different things for different people in my experience. To some it meant flat out racist, to others it meant they were rebellious hellraisers so to speak, to others it was a beautiful flag from their history. I learned that 'redneck' means different things to different people - most folks told me that being called 'redneck' was an insult to the good ol' southern people, while a few thought 'redneck' as a compliment. I also learned that Delware was below the Mason Dixon line and very much part of the south.

I think with most things these days, there's no simple answer :)

We have the Gadsden Flag hanging 6" below and side by side our American Flag..

The Confederate Flag has morphed over time into a different meaning - much of the time - there are still many in the deep south that truly want to keep it's original meaning. And yet for some - it's a rebellion against the NAACP and other organizations that seem to promote racism...

I thank God I live in America where people can voice their opinions and not be arrested for speaking their minds...even if I don't agree with them..

Some posters are right - it all depends upon where you were raised, HOW you were raised and what school you went to...interesting that we all weren't taught the same thing, eh?

Well, if you want honesty, what gets me is the people who have Confederate Flags on their trucks, etc and have never been 100 miles from our little rural California town.
They might not even know how many stars there are or why. Probably couldn't name the battles.
My father's side of the family came here from Europe and settled in Virginia.
We are direct descendants of men who fought in the war. On both sides.
When my son was in the 5th grade, they did a huge history project on the Civil War. My son was all over it. He's a history buff. He had to write about the Battle of Antietum and do an essay from the viewpoint of a Confederate soldier. We made a Confederate Flag for extra credit and it turned out so great that it was displayed at school and the teacher has since borrowed it for class purposes when he assigns the Civil War projects.
It hangs in my son's bedroom. Not for public viewing. We're certainly not ashamed of it, it's just that we don't go around with Confederate Flags all over the place.
Like I said, we have direct ties. In fact, last time I was in Virginia, I went to a family cemetery and made tombstone rubbings for my son of our ancestors that were in the war.
None of my southern relatives display Confederate flags.
No offense to anyone intended, but it makes more sense to see the flags in the south or in the states that were involved in the Civil War.
It's kind of trippy to me to see it so much in California.
I don't listen to country music, either.
So many stereotypes if you think about it.

I think in many cases, it's just a "thing" and people don't really put much thought into it. I could be wrong.

Just my opinion.

Nope. I agree with you 100%.

in my opinion, it is a sign of racism, i have never known a person to have a confederate flag not be a racist.

I'm a liberal and agree with you on this. No clue why anyone would want to be associated with the Confederate flag.

ok I am redneck and the flag doesn't mean squat to me. I like the style of the flag and think its neat. I have a hat ball cap that has a heart with the confederate x on it. does it mean anything no. My so who is also a redneck has a cofederate flag tatoo with a skull with a cowboy hat on it. the only thing it means to him was in the navy all the southern guys got one represtenting they were from the south period.

now he is a jailer and he keeps it covered at work. if the white supremist were to see it they would probably assume he is racist. The white supremist have already tried to recruit him and he is a gaurd. he just tells them I have 2 nieces that are mexican, and a niece and nephew that are puerto rican. that usually shuts them up. to most rednecks it doesn't mean anything. it is just a flag with a cool design. Now you will get a few idiotic rednecks that use it to show racism but they are very few and far between.

so his comment about redneck stuff is true it doesn't mean squat and rednecks don't really think anything about displaying it. we don't use it to be derogitory to the blacks. it is just a very cool design. you are reading to much into his face book design. you are the only one taking it to heart. and most rednecks don't think anything of it. oh what a cool facebook design I want one and then they post one too. but a true redneck if they see a black being whatever for being black will kick the white persons a that is doing it.

he is an innocent kid who doesn't understand what you are saying. I like they symbol of the confederate flag but when I was his age I went through a british flag phase. why cause def leppard was from brittan. the british flag also didn't mean sqat to me.

I am liberal & still feel the same way you do. When my family & I (consisting of me, a white woman, my husband, a black man, & our 2 mixed-race children) first moved to Delaware 7 years ago & were invited to a party I was more than just a little bit horrified to pull up into the driveway & realize that our Ford Taurus was surrounded by pick up trucks with confederate flags prominently displayed in the back windows.

I do think as Meridith said that there are people who think it is nothing more than displaying their heritage, however, that is most certainly not what they all are going for. In my mind, there's no reason out there that makes this ok for anyone who's an open-minded, non-bigoted, non-racist type of person.

Ignorance. I know some men who are just like "duh-huh-yuck-yuck, it's cool to hang a confederate flag" but dress like "gangsters" with their pants hanging down. Sheer ignorance, and it's disgusting.

It means nothing to me.
My family came over from Germany/Poland in the 1890's so the whole thing had been over for something like 25 years before we got here.

I do find the "I'm from the South and I was taught the 'real reasons' behind the Civil War and it wasn't mostly about slavery" to be very interesting. Guess what you learned in school depends on where you live? Needless to say, that's not the story kids are sold in the North.

I find it's display in historical contexts appropriate. I hate seeing it on trucks and tattoos. It causes many people pain. That is reason enough for me not to ever display one.
We Texas chauvinists fly the Texas flag.

I have wondered about this too. I am from Ct. and my friend's b-friend in high school (also from Ct) got a tattoo on his arm with the confederate flag and an eagle or something and it said "Free Bird". It was very interesting reading the explainations and input but seriously, I still don't get why he got that tattoo!

Updated

I have wondered about this too. I am from Ct. and my friend's b-friend in high school (also from Ct) got a tattoo on his arm with the confederate flag and an eagle or something and it said "Free Bird". It was very interesting reading the explainations and input but seriously, I still don't get why he got that tattoo!

I dont know why they do it, I want to see a confederate flag on someone's car or whatever as much as I want to see a Swastika. But for some, the war never really ended, it seems.

What a well-written post, Amyj! I consider myself to be well educated and somewhat up on history, but this baffles me as well- and I am pretty open minded...

I completely agree with Meredith C.