The Confederate flag

[XtremelyBaneful]

Starting this thread from a thread I saw on another forum. I've seen people have this flag on their cars, on their myspace/facebook pages, I've seen rock bands sporting it as well.

Knowing the origin that this flag was born on/from...what are your thoughts on certain people still expressing it in modern day?

EDIT: as for the poll, I didn't want to ask "is it wrong that people still use the confederate flag" or "is it racist that people are still using the confederate flag" or anything like that because technically in america, people have the right to use the confederate flag if they wish because of freedom of speech. but the question is moreso like a, do you get a smh feeling when you see it.

 

[Pink Ranger]

It's used on parts of Ontario as a "country pride" symbol. No reasonable historical connection to Canada at all; it's just a racist rallying cry. :

 

[Uskok]

it's just a racist rallying cry. :

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...ght-to-display-confederate-flag-in-dorm-room/

 

[Pink Ranger]

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...ght-to-display-confederate-flag-in-dorm-room/

So what? I'm talking about this being used by gangs of white students up in Canada. Read a map.

 

[Uskok]

So what? I'm talking about this being used by gangs of white students up in Canada. Read a map.

No need to get upset, I know where Canada is. I'm just saying that some people don't see it as "a racist rallying cry"

 

[Pink Ranger]

No need to get upset, I know where Canada is. I'm just saying that some people don't see it as "a racist rallying cry"

It is when used with intent. And up here it is used with intent.

 

[Duke]

This flag was prominently displayed on the roof of the General Lee on the show the Dukes Of Hazzard.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Not being an American, I always wondered why, putting aside the racial connotations of that flag and the fact that it is regularly used as a symbol by white supremacist groups, putting all that aside for now, why so many "ultra-patriotic" Americans in the red states would choose to continue to display a symbol of a separatist movement that represents treason in some ways.

 

[Duke]

Not being an American, I always wondered why, putting aside the racial connotations of that flag and the fact that it is regularly used as a symbol by white supremacist groups, putting all that aside for now, why so many "ultra-patriotic" Americans in the red states would choose to continue to display a symbol of a separatist movement that represents treason in some ways.

I really don't know, perhaps a part of Southern heritage, pride, of sorts. Regardless of peoples reasons on it, it's wrong & symbolizes a dark period in America's past.

 

[Uskok]

Not being an American, I always wondered why, putting aside the racial connotations of that flag and the fact that it is regularly used as a symbol by white supremacist groups, putting all that aside for now, why so many "ultra-patriotic" Americans in the red states would choose to continue to display a symbol of a separatist movement that represents treason in some ways.

Just a matter of perspective. The US flag represented "treason" against the British Empire two hundred years ago.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

So what? I'm talking about this being used by gangs of white students up in Canada. Read a map.

Lots of people view it as heritage, not hatred.

 

[Duke]

Just a matter of perspective. The US flag represented "treason" against the British Empire two hundred years ago.

It didn't represent racism though, which the Confederate flag does & has also been seen displayed a lot among white supremacists groups too.

 

[Uskok]

It didn't represent racism though, which the Confederate flag does.

 

[Duke]

It's true the American flag has been used wrongly, but in my opinion the Confederate flag is far worse.

 

[warhorse78]

People that have the confederate flag up are using it to display their love and pride in the Southern/country way of life. There is nothing wrong with it. People need to get over themselves.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I don't like the Confederate flag and I do assume that most who are rocking it have overtly racist tendencies towards black people in particular.

When I see it on the back of a car here in Ohio I think, oh that person probably is racist. I don't have warm and fuzzy feelings towards that flag.

Most black people feel the way that I do and with good reason.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

People that have the confederate flag up are using it to display their love and pride in the Southern/country way of life. There is nothing wrong with it. People need to get over themselves.

You really can't speak for every person who uses a confederate flag.

Alot of people who flaunt it are flat out racist.

You say people bothered by the flag should get over themselves. How would you feel if your neighbor put up a huge Nazi flag?

Maybe people should get over the fact that the South lost the Civil War and accept that they deserved to lose.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Lots of people view it as heritage, not hatred.

Yep. Down here, some people just like how the flag looks because they're southern and southern pride is never hard to come across. But it's still a hot button issue. In middle school, some kids got sent home for wearing c-flag shirts or they would have to turn them inside out. I personally think it's okay to wear a shirt or display the flag. It's not a symbol of racism, it's a symbol of when the south wanted their independence, which happened to be a time when racism was commonplace. And this is coming from someone who has lived in the south his whole life but does not consider himself "southern" by any means.

 

[warhorse78]

You really can't speak for every person who uses a confederate flag.

Alot of people who flaunt it are flat out racist.

You say people bothered by the flag should get over themselves. How would you feel if your neighbor put up a huge Nazi flag?

Maybe people should get over the fact that the South lost the Civil War and accept that they deserved to lose.

Don't bother me either. Stuff like this never bothered me. What does bother me is people trying to use PC and the latest fads to chip away our rights, like freedom of speech and right to bear arms. For most, the confederate flag stand against an oppressive government, that is all. The fact that we have morons that actually want to ban the confederate flag, well, I guess the South are right, that the government is going back on it's duty to protect the freedom of speech. It's just a flag, a piece of cloth, again, people need to stop being sissys and get some armor on their skin, and actually do some research on something before they go all stupid on something without knowing the facts.

 

[Schlosser85]

I find it distasteful. Yes it's a symbol of Southern pride. You could also say the Nazi flag was a symbol of German pride, but we all know there was more to it than that, it had racist connotations and so does the Confederate flag.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I'm not going to get over anything. People have the right to fly that flag and I have the right to think what I want about that flag.

I do agree that people in the government are chipping away at our freedoms. It's legal for police to murder black men no matter if their lives are in danger and people are trying to outlaw abortion and birth control. It's scary out there.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Yep. Down here, some people just like how the flag looks because they're southern and southern pride is never hard to come across. But it's still a hot button issue. In middle school, some kids got sent home for wearing c-flag shirts or they would have to turn them inside out. I personally think it's okay to wear a shirt or display the flag. It's not a symbol of racism, it's a symbol of when the south wanted their independence, which happened to be a time when racism was commonplace. And this is coming from someone who has lived in the south his whole life but does not consider himself "southern" by any means.

Typical historical revisionism.

The South gave their reasons for seceding in writing. It's an official historical document.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declar...sion_of_South_Carolina_from_the_Federal_Union

It mentions slavery far more often than state's rights.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I agree that it's distasteful. And the only people I've seen display it in their homes, cars, etc. were racists.

ALSO: I accidentally clicked "no" in the poll at the top, and meant to click "yes." I DO find it cringeworthy when people display this flag. I just didn't look at what I was clicking, because typically, the "yes" option is above the "no" one.

 

[Victarion]

"Southern pride" is fine, but why not just use your state's flag instead?

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Don't bother me either. Stuff like this never bothered me. What does bother me is people trying to use PC and the latest fads to chip away our rights, like freedom of speech and right to bear arms. For most, the confederate flag stand against an oppressive government, that is all. The fact that we have morons that actually want to ban the confederate flag, well, I guess the South are right, that the government is going back on it's duty to protect the freedom of speech. It's just a flag, a piece of cloth, again, people need to stop being sissys and get some armor on their skin, and actually do some research on something before they go all stupid on something without knowing the facts.

Your head is deeply planted in the sand yet you tell people who are offended to do "do research and learn the facts".

It's extremely ironic.

Here are the facts, go ahead and disprove them with your deep historical knowledge.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/outlo...e-south-seceded/2011/01/03/ABHr6jD_story.html

You think feeling apathy towards ugly symbols like the swastika and the Confederate flag makes you tough skinned? No, it only shows ignorance and a lack of empathy towards your fellow man.