So now the flag MUST mean "slavery, murder and oppression"? Just because it's occassionally been used by people with those beliefs and actions?
See this is what I was talking about. How can you say it's absurd when quite frankly the flag has been linked to violent hate groups MUCH longer that it had been used as a symbol of the confederacy.
Because it's absurd to suggest that simply because a portion of the population uses it as such that this is the only meaning it can have. That's just a silly, illogical way to approach things.
The Civil War only lasted 4 years while the KKK (which was founded by ex confederate soldiers) has been waving that flag and spreading hate and violence for well over 100 years!! That flag has been present at public lynchings, cross burnings, and segregation rallies pretty regularly. It's completely understandable why a certain group will see it as symbol of hate when people who hate and want to kill them wave the damn thing around all the time...The KKK has been terrorizing blacks in the south for generations and proudly displaying that flag while they do it.
But again.
The flag is used by others than just the KKK, bigots, and other ignorant, misguided, or hate filled people. These other people do not use it to showcase bigotry, racism, and hatred, but as a symbol of their culture.
Do a few bad apples spoil an entire barrel?
No.
By the way, these groups also use OTHER elements of life and society, like bedsheets, robes, the color white, red, etc. Should we demonize those things too, simply because some ignorant, bigoted idiots use them in doing wrong?
You brought up burning crosses. Should we stop using the symbol of a cross because some idiots burn them?
Should we stop using ropes and tying knots because some people used them to lynch?
Should I stop listening to certain country songs because a KKK member might play it at their rally?
It strikes me as ignorant to suggest that because evil people use something every so often, that the symbol itself, which was never intended to be evil, is now evil, and must be seen as such.
You want to get into the nazi swastika nonsense, go ahead, I've had this argument before.
It's all about context, people. It's always been about context.
That said. I understand that some people may see these things and only remember the negative elements of them. If a certain group sees something as a symbol of hate or intolerance, fine. I understand that. I understand that people who look at the flag can get certain stereotypes in mind.
Do you know how I got over thinking "NAZIS!" everytime someone said "Germany?" I learned more about Germany, so that that wasn't one of my only points of reference. Point being, the associations one has with the a symbol or idea, and how much they dwell on those things, is kind of on them. Recognizing that a symbol has ties with something does not make these stereotypes you're all going on and on about an all encompassing social truth.
Heck, very often, the words "The South" will bring certain stereotypes to mind. It's absolutely SILLY to suggest that this flag is the cause of all that, or that all those ideas and memories would disappear if the flag did.
Again. The South will ALWAYS have to deal with the memories of slavery, intolerance, bigotry, etc.
Finally: Hate, bigotry, and intolerance are not illegal. It is an American's right to have and express their beliefs, whatever they may be. That means Americans are free to fly a flag, worship Satan, hate blacks, whatever they want to believe. They are also free to be proud of their state's history, even if that history has some sordid elements.
