Following the tragedy of the shooting of nine innocent people in a South Carolina church the discussion has been resumed. Should the Confederate battle flag still fly on state ground ? Some are blaming this flag for this tragedy. Others point out the symbology of that flag. It is a heated debate. It was moved from atop the capitol dome to another location a while back. It is telling to note that this flag is not attached to a rope. It is fixed in some manner, I can only assume, to prevent anyone from taking to down. Many find it an offense to sensibility that it is allowed to be displayed.
Being from the north I hadn't really given much thought to the matter. I have lived in the " south " for a number of years and have grown accustomed to seeing it. The symbology of that flag has changed over the years in my opinion. Now it is just a symbol for the " good ole boys " a false ideology. The issue lies in it's defense. Many southerners will tell you their ancestors fought under that flag and it is a symbol of honor. Their position being that they should defend that flag, just as their ancestors did. I can certainly understand that sentiment. Let's face it, it's " cool " to be a rebel ! It is that thinking that I believe contributes to the continued display of this flag.
Is that flag really a symbol of white supremacy ? Many African Americans are taught that. That flag represents slavery to them and the fight to maintain that institution. The reality is the civil war was fought over much more than a single issue. Yes, slavery was one of those issues. The major issue was however, states rights. Since that time that flag, the battle flag, has been adopted by all manner of subversive groups. Skinheads, motorcycle gangs and other hate groups have adopted that symbol, why ? The reason is a simple one, it fosters hatred and prejudice. And let us remember that prejudice applies to all people not just African Americans. So, I feel like the real meaning of the flag has been hijacked and perverted. It has become an abomination ! I can sympathize with those of southern heritage that understand the true sentiment of that flag. It is their heritage after all. What I believe they are missing is that that flag was the Battle flag ! It was never the national flag of the confederacy. The Confederate States of America had their own flag, three different ones in fact. It is my thinking that perhaps the original national flag of the Confederate States of America should replace that battle flag in a place of honor. The battle flag should be relegated to a museum, and put to rest. It is unfortunate that a flag should become a symbol of hate and intolerance. This flag isn't the first. Consider the Nazi swastika, a symbol despised and hated by those all over the world. Instantly recognizable as a symbol of oppression. Yes the crimes of the Nazi's are not a fair comparison but I use it only to create a point. The confederate battle flag stirs what emotion in the majority when displayed ?
Why should you or I care ? This flag did not cause that shooting. The warped logic and hateful rhetoric of others did that. What thoughts come to mind when you see that flag displayed ? Whether justified or not I feel that whoever displays that flag, whether it is on a flagpole, a jacket or the bumper of a pick up truck does so for only one reason. To make a statement. The statement is not, I support the cause of the southern states of america in the late rebellion. I support the continued preservation of the individual states to govern themselves. No, that isn't what the message is. As to whether the person displaying that flag understands all of that is questionable. Could be that that person just adopted a symbol because it was " cool " to do so and Daddy said I should. I wonder how many of those so called " patriots " of the south would even recognize the real national flag of the south ?
Being from the north I hadn't really given much thought to the matter. I have lived in the " south " for a number of years and have grown accustomed to seeing it. The symbology of that flag has changed over the years in my opinion. Now it is just a symbol for the " good ole boys " a false ideology. The issue lies in it's defense. Many southerners will tell you their ancestors fought under that flag and it is a symbol of honor. Their position being that they should defend that flag, just as their ancestors did. I can certainly understand that sentiment. Let's face it, it's " cool " to be a rebel ! It is that thinking that I believe contributes to the continued display of this flag.
Is that flag really a symbol of white supremacy ? Many African Americans are taught that. That flag represents slavery to them and the fight to maintain that institution. The reality is the civil war was fought over much more than a single issue. Yes, slavery was one of those issues. The major issue was however, states rights. Since that time that flag, the battle flag, has been adopted by all manner of subversive groups. Skinheads, motorcycle gangs and other hate groups have adopted that symbol, why ? The reason is a simple one, it fosters hatred and prejudice. And let us remember that prejudice applies to all people not just African Americans. So, I feel like the real meaning of the flag has been hijacked and perverted. It has become an abomination ! I can sympathize with those of southern heritage that understand the true sentiment of that flag. It is their heritage after all. What I believe they are missing is that that flag was the Battle flag ! It was never the national flag of the confederacy. The Confederate States of America had their own flag, three different ones in fact. It is my thinking that perhaps the original national flag of the Confederate States of America should replace that battle flag in a place of honor. The battle flag should be relegated to a museum, and put to rest. It is unfortunate that a flag should become a symbol of hate and intolerance. This flag isn't the first. Consider the Nazi swastika, a symbol despised and hated by those all over the world. Instantly recognizable as a symbol of oppression. Yes the crimes of the Nazi's are not a fair comparison but I use it only to create a point. The confederate battle flag stirs what emotion in the majority when displayed ?
Why should you or I care ? This flag did not cause that shooting. The warped logic and hateful rhetoric of others did that. What thoughts come to mind when you see that flag displayed ? Whether justified or not I feel that whoever displays that flag, whether it is on a flagpole, a jacket or the bumper of a pick up truck does so for only one reason. To make a statement. The statement is not, I support the cause of the southern states of america in the late rebellion. I support the continued preservation of the individual states to govern themselves. No, that isn't what the message is. As to whether the person displaying that flag understands all of that is questionable. Could be that that person just adopted a symbol because it was " cool " to do so and Daddy said I should. I wonder how many of those so called " patriots " of the south would even recognize the real national flag of the south ?
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| The first flag adopted by the confederate states known as the Stars and Bars. |
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