Southern pride gone wrong!

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry, but I do see racism.

My husband is of German heritage.
If he is proud of his overall German heritage, does this mean that it is a good idea to go into a multi-ethnic neighborhood and fly a huge Swastika?

One can argue that the confederate flag represents Southern Heritage.

I would argue that this represents and highlights one aspect of Southern Heritage, just as the Swastika represents on aspect of German Heritage.

When so many people see a particular symbol as a representation of suppression and death... One just can't deny that.

I am with the people who say that if she does, in a purely NON-racist way, identify with the history and heritage that she thinks is represented in this flag, then she ought to find other ways to express this, than to proudly and openly fly this symbol in a black neighborhood.

IMHO, the racism just can not be denied.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

You can see racism and you can not like it. You CAN'T tell her she can't fly the flag.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I am with the people who say that if she does, in a purely NON-racist way, identify with the history and heritage that she thinks is represented in this flag, then she ought to find other ways to express this, than to proudly and openly fly this symbol in a black neighborhood.

I also agree with this, but:

IMHO, the racism just can not be denied.

So, everyone that wishes to fly a Confederate Flag is a racist, or just this woman because she is doing it in a black neighborhood? Help me understand what you are suggesting.

 

[Wishing on a star]

You can see racism and you can not like it. You CAN'T tell her she can't fly the flag.

Ohhhh, yes, in the end, I very much agree!

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I will say that, although I will defend the thought that it is her right to fly the flag, I find it sad that she feels she should do it when she knows it causes others pain. Very sad.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

You can see racism and you can not like it. You CAN'T tell her she can't fly the flag.

Well, we could - they have legally banned the swastika in Germany. Let's just hope that America never decides to go that far. Nothing does more to harm freedom than censorship - even when censorship is implemented with of all the right motivations.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I will say that, although I will defend the thought that it is her right to fly the flag, I find it sad that she feels she should do it when she knows it causes others pain. Very sad.

Agreed, but only to a point. Let's say that you are a Palestinian. You live in NYC in a neighborhood that is primarily Muslim, with many other Palestinians. A new neighbor moves in - from Israel. He proudly flies his national flag in his front yard. The rest of the neighbors become upset. They do not recognize the national flag of Israel as anything but a flag sponsoring terrorism. Should that person, from Israel, take down the flag to make his neighbors happy?

The flag means different things to different people. I would argue that the Israeli flag is far more offensive to Palestinians than the Confederate Flag is to blacks - the pain is still real - the war is still active. Would we expect an Israeli to take down that flag?

So, how far do we carry the notion that we are responsible for the "feelings" of others? IMO, if no ill will is meant, then none should be taken. Too bad most people walk around looking for reasons to be insulted instead of trying to understand their fellow man. Instead of asking why this woman chooses to fly a Confederate flag, we make assumptions about her character. Had her neighbors first become her friends, she might have taken the flag down willingly. Since her neighbors instead chose to start out their relationship in court, she is almost certainly going to hold out as long as she can.

 

[BillSears]

...So, everyone that wishes to fly a Confederate Flag is a racist, or just this woman because she is doing it in a black neighborhood? Help me understand what you are suggesting.

I see it this way. Everyone knows that some people, especially African Americans, see the Confederate Flag as a racially charged symbol. Those who choose to fly the flag are doing so knowing that they will offend some people. Racist? Maybe. But certainly insensitive to the felings of a minority group.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

Agreed, but only to a point. Let's say that you are a Palestinian. You live in NYC in a neighborhood that is primarily Muslim, with many other Palestinians. A new neighbor moves in - from Israel. He proudly flies his national flag in his front yard. The rest of the neighbors become upset. They do not recognize the national flag of Israel as anything but a flag sponsoring terrorism. Should that person, from Israel, take down the flag to make his neighbors happy?

The flag means different things to different people. I would argue that the Israeli flag is far more offensive to Palestinians than the Confederate Flag is to blacks - the pain is still real - the war is still active. Would we expect an Israeli to take down that flag?

So, how far do we carry the notion that we are responsible for the "feelings" of others? IMO, if no ill will is meant, then none should be taken. Too bad most people walk around looking for reasons to be insulted instead of trying to understand their fellow man. Instead of asking why this woman chooses to fly a Confederate flag, we make assumptions about her character. Had her neighbors first become her friends, she might have taken the flag down willingly. Since her neighbors instead chose to start out their relationship in court, she is almost certainly going to hold out as long as she can.

I guess it just depends on the person. I, myself, wouldn't fly a flag that I thought was causing people in my neighborhood pain. Others think otherwise, and that's their choice to make.

Now, if flying an American Flag was causing people in my neighborhood pain, I might - change that to would - just say too bad.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I guess it just depends on the person. I, myself, wouldn't fly a flag that I thought was causing people in my neighborhood pain. Others think otherwise, and that's their choice to make.

Now, if flying an American Flag was causing people in my neighborhood pain, I might - change that to would - just say too bad.

Exactly my point. Maybe this flag is as important to this woman as the American Flag is to you or me. While I doubt it, we just don't know enough from this story to be certain. We certainly don't know enough from this story to call her a racist.

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

I agree.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I see it this way. Everyone knows that some people, especially African Americans, see the Confederate Flag as a racially charged symbol. Those who choose to fly the flag are doing so knowing that they will offend some people. Racist? Maybe. But certainly insensitive to the felings of a minority group.

Agreed - no question about it. But there are people who post on this board who are insensitive to a lot of things, and make it clear that they will offer no apologies for those insensitivities.

We all stand up for those things which we deem worthy. When those things are unpopular, or misunderstood, you get threads like this. Had she been supporting a different "cause", the reaction would have been very different.

 

[Wishing on a star]

The flag of any State, including the South, is, and was, 'The American flag'.

IMHO, while somebody has every right to be proud of their Southern Heritage, yada-yada....

As a southerner myself...
I just fail to see how the flagrant and proud flying of a temporary and old symbol that represented division, and yes, whether one admits or not, human slavery, can be seen as anything but negative.

Do I believe she has the right.... AMEN!
I do NOT believe in unnecessary censorship.
I do NOT believe that this act constitutes 'hate speech'.

Do I believe that this is negative and racist. Yes, I do.

 

[Robinrs]

Just like in a murder trial, the point is intent. Anyone can spin it anyway they like, the woman's intent is obvious.

Everyone has a "right" legally to do whatever they want. Rights are not just legal, they are moral also. She knows what she's doing and she will undoubtedly deny it on the same terms that defended her here... and she will probably get away with it.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Not that I agree with racism, but last time I heard it's not illegal to be racist - just immoral.

 

[luvmy3]

The flag of any State, including the South, is, and was, 'The American flag'.

IMHO, while somebody has every right to be proud of their Southern Heritage, yada-yada....

As a southerner myself...
I just fail to see how the flagrant and proud flying of a temporary and old symbol that represented division, and yes, whether one admits or not, human slavery, can be seen as anything but negative.

Do I believe she has the right.... AMEN!
I do NOT believe in unnecessary censorship.
I do NOT believe that this act constitutes 'hate speech'.

Do I believe that this is negative and racist. Yes, I do.

That is your interpretation of what that flag represents, but that doesn't mean everyone interprets it the same.

 

[CandyMandy]

So she flies the Confederate Flag, big deal. Quit giving her the attention she's loving and ignore her. If we can't stop those radical idiots that keep showing up at military funerals to be disrespectful and just downright mean, what makes people think they are going to stop a woman from flying a flag?

Get a grip. I suppose there was a huge boycott of Dukes of Hazard because their car had the Confederate flag painted on the hood? She is IN the south and wants to fly the Confederate flag, she can fly the flag if she wants to. Japanese flags still fly. German flags still fly. Italian flagzzzs still fly. We disintegrated how many Japanese citizens with a bomb and we still fly our flag. Let her fly the darn flag and ignore her if she's bothering you.
If you have a problem with her flying the flag because of what it "stood for" then take a good, long look around at what still flies and what they have stood for in the course of history as well.

Hear, hear! While I emphasize with those who are insulted by what this woman is doing, what many of them don't realize is the slippery slope the are entering. They start with the Confederate battle flag....but don't stop there.

Next, they start going after anything and everything that represents the old south. Plantations, college students who dare to dress up in southern belle costumes, etc. And thanks to them, Disney has buried one of Walt's greatest films, out of stupid, erroneous perceptions that it glorified slavery (wrong, it is set after the Civil War) and that the prime character in the movie is bad stereotype (rather than what he really is - a voice of knowledge and grace).

 

[leight]

While I agree she has the absolute right to fly the flag of her choice, I would have a hard time understanding how someone cannot know the connotations attached to the flag and how it would be percieved by her new neighborhood. So I tend to think that flying the flag was to provoke some kind of feeling and not just nostalgia or southern pride- not considering her new environment.

Here in Tampa I pass a HUGE Confederate flag on my way home from work every day- the corner of 75 & I-4. I hated it at first but now I just ignore it. I don't know the people who fly it or why- and I've stopped thinking about it. Maybe if walls weren't built near the lady in question- it would just have been a symbol that grew more quiet over time and not the insult her neighbors percieved. I think the publicity just continues the perception that the bad connotation of the battle flag is the intent and not the genteel southern culture that southern pride likes to remember and salute.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Just like in a murder trial, the point is intent. Anyone can spin it anyway they like, the woman's intent is obvious...

Obvious to who? People who view this subject in the same way that you do? It is far from obvious to me. Now, it is certainly possible that my differing view point has clouded my perception of this, but it has yours, too.

 

[Robinrs]

Hear, hear! While I empathize with those who are insulted by what this woman is doing, what many of them don't realize is the slippery slope the are entering. They start with the Confederate battle flag....but don't stop there.

Next, they start going after anything and everything that represents the old south. Plantations, college students who dare to dress up in southern belle costumes, etc. And thanks to them, Disney has buried one of Walt's greatest films, out of stupid, erroneous perceptions that it glorified slavery (wrong, it is set after the Civil War) and that the prime character in the movie is bad stereotype (rather than what he really is - a voice of knowledge and grace).

Wow, that's quite a leap...