What does the Confederate flag mean to you?

[IMGONNABE40!]

Is it merely a symbol of Southern pride, or does it have definate racial implications?

I am a white woman and I grew up on Long Island. I do not remember coming into contact with the Confederate flag as a youngster growing up. Now I live in Cincinnati and am the mother of an African American son. From time to time I will see the C flag here in Ohio, or on our drive to Florida (at a gas station and such). I steer clear of those places as I do not want any type of problems or unpleasantness for my son. Is this an over reaction? Just why do people display this flag anyway?

Thanks. I hope this does not seem too ignorant of a question.

 

[HollyJoy]

To me, it's a symbol of Southern Pride. When I see the Confederate Flag, the first thought into my head is not a racial one.

 

[jennyanydots]

another Long Islander here.

the flag makes me uncomfortable. mainly because it became so very popular during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's. for some it may just be an expression of southern pride, but for too many who display it...well...those who are displaying it innocently might be better served with a different symbol of local pride.

 

[DukeStreetKing]

I see it as a link to the South's history. Yes, that history included slavery but even as we try to correct that mistake, it's still a part of the past and cannot be erased.

It's the attitudes of people today that need to change, not a symbol of the South's heritage and legacy.

 

[MI mom of 3]

I don't like it. Like was already said it just makes me uncomfortable. Usually see it on pickup trucks around here and I admit to looking at the drivers differently after I see it.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I see it and think "crap..more drunk idiot rednecks i have to deal with..."



I'm surrounded by them..everywhere....

honestly, no I don't think about race, I think its a symbol of an important piece of history, something that shouldnt be forgotten, but certainly shouldn't be honored.

Jungle Josh

 

[jennyanydots]

Originally posted by DukeStreetKing
I see it as a link to the South's history. Yes, that history included slavery but even as we try to correct that mistake, it's still a part of the past and cannot be erased.

It's the attitudes of people today that need to change, not a symbol of the South's heritage and legacy.

the heritage included slavery and bigotry. that the flag was used by the Klan, and that the descendants of southern slaves find the flag offensive -- well, that tells me it's time to find a different symbol for southern pride. we can't change the past, but we don't have to glorify its worst elements. esepcially when the south has so much to be proud of -- I'd hate to see that get lost in a debate over a controversial symbol.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

My family remembers those lost by having the Confederate flag on the same pole as the American flag. It is NOT a racist thing to us, more a memorial of past family members that died protecting their homes and family. When Sherman came through Georgia, he burned EVERYTHING and it didn't matter if you had slaves or not. BTW, our family did not own slaves, they worked their own land and fought for our side to protect themselves. My grandparents still live on the same land, although the house was rebuilt after the war.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Originally posted by jennyanydots
the heritage included slavery and bigotry. that the flag was used by the Klan, and that the descendants of southern slaves find the flag offensive -- well, that tells me it's time to find a different symbol for southern pride. we can't change the past, but we don't have to glorify its worst elements. esepcially when the south has so much to be proud of -- I'd hate to see that get lost in a debate over a controversial symbol.

Much of this can also be said for the American flag, should we stop displaying that? I personally find it's main use in the Richmond area to be young rednecks who aren't using it for historical reasons or racist reasons, rather just to show they are rednecks. I think the meanings of the flag have been forgotten by most younger people and it just shows that you are "proud to like hunting, Larry the Cable Guy, and NASCAR."

It really doesn't bother me, but I don't wish for any flag that Americans died under to be disrespected.

 

[Magix]

As a Californian, I don't see it often. But, when I do, I view it as some backward Southerner's desperate attempt to cling to a very ugly past. That flag isn't used anymore for a reason. It represents a very bad time in our national historyand it should be left to history. Recognizing that flag and understanding it historically is important, but it is not something to display on your truck or your home. To some Southerners, it may be a symbol of pride, but to those of us outside the region, there is no pride in what the South stood for when that flag flew high. It's similar in feeling to a German driving around with a Nazi flag on their car. Simply not something to be proud of.

Just the way I view it.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Originally posted by DukeStreetKing

It's the attitudes of people today that need to change, not a symbol of the South's heritage and legacy.

Couldn't have said it better myself DukeStreetKing! I proudly display the Confederate flag

 

[mudnuri]

To be honest with you, it means nothing to me.

Absolutely nothing, about as much as a mexican, or canadian flag, nada to me.

I'm an american and thats the only flag that means anything to me.


but, I'm from Vermont

Brandy

 

[palmtreegirl]

Born and raised in NJ and when I see one I think of people like the KKK and stuff like that, I know it also stands for other more postive things but it's the negative ones that pop in my head first when I see one.

 

[MI mom of 3]

My problem with it is that it was not the confederate national flag.

If you look it up you will see a flag that looks a lot like the Stars and Stripes. In fact it is called "Stars and Bars" There is a red stripe, a white stripe, and a white stripe. With the field of blue in the corner with 11 stars in a circle and one larger star in the center.

If you really want to "honor the past" use this flag. I does not have the same racist conotations as the other one.

 

[WillyJ]

I have a real problem with government entinties displaying it along side the Amercian Flag. . if it is a symbol of the past then put it in a museum and describe what it symbolized, but don't fly it from a government building.

As far as individuals displaying it. . well, I believe it falls under free speech and I defend that even if I personally find it offensive, so I think people should certainly be allowed to display it.

I wouldn't simply because I know it is seen as a symbol of a war to perpetuate slavery to many and whatever historical value it has wouldn't be worth offending people needlessly. . .

And I've always been curious about those who do as symbol of their heritage. . why would they want to display a reminder of a war that tore the country apart and one in which their region/side suffered a devastating defeat?

I don't mean this as a moral criticism; it's just that to me it'd be like the Lakers flying the second place banner as a rememberence of the beating the Pistons gave them in the NBA finals this year. . why would they want to be reminded of that?

 

[VintageKnight]

Im born and bred oklahoman, see this flag all the time, doesnt bother me at all, I know what it was used for originaly and i know the people that used it afterward for other uses....

My issue is that our capitol in okc has many empty flag poles in front of the main entrance. It originaly held all the countries flags that ever held control over the area now know as oklahoma. theres about 12 poles here and was a very proud, prominent invisionment of "our" past as a u.s. territory and state.

I'm old enough to remember this memorial in its full glory. It was significant part of my past and I understood this.

Along with 2 american flags were Spain, England, France a couple of the Native american nation states that originaly held the land and even that great nation of Texas us sooners love stompin so much... and yes the Confederate flag.

We were officialy on the orange side of the civil war...

Late 80's early 90's some "person" decided it was offensive against his black ansestors that we display this obomination (sp) at our capitol. As if our leaders were publicly saying slavery was ok just because we displayed a painted piece of fabric.

This short sighted, media hungry individual kept this in court for many years and then even after he gave up our law makers still never put the confederate flag or any of the others up again, sort of an all or nuthin attitude on the subject.

The only good thing out of this was shortly after sept 11 our new govenor realized there were some more spots for american flags at the capitol, and I think its going to stay that way for a long long time.

I dont mind people trying to keep memories alive in our collective nations conscience, but the ways they do it need to be thought out a lot better than im seeing.

Like it or not its part of amarican history, same as the forced migration, theft and down right genocide of most of this lands native peoples. None of it was started by americans , and if you actually think about it we were 75 years old when we finally decided to change the slavery policies in the us. It didnt go over well, we had to let an entire generation die before that change could happen. But it did happen.

To all those people that have issues with this, grow up, and decide to do something that actually matters, educate the public on the issues, and leave MY HISTORY ALONE!!!

DVK

 

[WillyJ]

Oh, and thanks for that info MI Mom!


I hadn't heard that before and found an article explaining it a little more. . . Confederate Flags


As I said I wouldn't display it because I feel the negative conotations out-weigh whatever positive statements of heritage it might symbolize. . . but there is some commentary here explaining why some feel differently and it's worth a read.

And it seems the confederate flag used today was originally a battle flag, while as MI Mom mentions the original was more like the American flag. . here's a image of it:

 

[kbeverina]

The original question was, what does it mean to me, not what should it mean to me or what it means to others who display it.

To me, it does symbolize hatred and racism and slavery.

My freshman year roommate had a huge one over her bed and she was racist. I watched a klan march from my back deck down Main Street of the small southwestern VA town I lived in several years after college--Confederate flags waving everywhere.

So, of course, to me, when I see it, that's what I'm going to think of. It doesn't matter what anyone intends when they display it--normally I have no clue what they intend. I only know what I associate it with other times I've seen it.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Originally posted by WillyJ
Oh, and thanks for that info MI Mom!


I hadn't heard that before and found an article explaining it a little more. . . Confederate Flags


As I said I wouldn't display it because I feel the negative conotations out-weigh whatever positive statements of heritage it might symbolize. . . but there is some commentary here explaining why some feel differently and it's worth a read.

And it seems the confederate flag used today was originally a battle flag, while as MI Mom mentions the original was more like the American flag. . here's a image of it:

Thanks for the picture Willy. Does anyone know why people choose to display the battle flag instead of the one pictured above?

 

[Kendra17]

There are two interpretations for the Confederate flag.
1-it is the battle flag of an American country based on democratic principles that fought valiantly and bravely for its existence and was not successful.
2-For those without an understanding of the Civil War, the Confederate flag (commonly the battle flag of the Confederacy--NOT the national flag), is the symbol of racism--specifically against African Americans. During the 1920s, this symbol became popularly understood to be the flag of the KKK.

Most people who fly the Confederate flag, or display it, are showing respect to the sacrifices and tragedy of the Confederate States of America. For many, this has become a symbol of Southern pride, heritage, and character--a symbol of the Lost Cause.

For people without an understanding of Southern culture or Civil War history, the battle flag is nothing more than a symbol of racism, much like the Swastika would be for a Jewish Person. However, this is a false comparison. The theft of Confederate symbology by racist groups has undermined the true meaning of those symbols. In general, when you see this symbol anywhere in the U.S., 9 times out of 10 it is a symbol of independence, character, bravery, and a respect for a culture of the south that is gone.