they've got it all wrong

[skyblue]

ok.....look at it this way.....for years the union jack and the cross of st george were used by the national front and other racist groups,they became symbols of hatred.....but thats no more,through avenues such as sport etc those flags are now symbols of a nation and are often flown by minorities at sporting events.....the same could happen with the confederate flag with a little effort

and every state in america,like every county in england has its own flag.......do they have to be banned because of history?.....no they shouldn't.they're that states emblem.....imagine if you will.....st louise winning the superbowl and at the end they're black players are waving that flag because they play for a team in the south,the thought process all of a sudden changes...as i said,with a little effort and patience that flag could once again become the very thing it should be,a symbol of a group of states in the southern part of america,flown by every inhabitant of those states regardless of colour.

 

[Zorak]

i have the confederate flag flying proud in my room

 

[MoonOwl]

Down here there is a huge one flying near a major highway. There were cries of racism. It's still flying.

I care more about our politicians who drape themselves in our nations flag while they sell our nation down the river. That is something to get pissed over, imho. Not a Confederate flag flying high in the South.

 

[porterjack]

flags only draw the passion in folk when they have negative links

so it is not the flag that is the issue but often lack of knowledge, misunderstanding or sometimes plain ignorance

so educate yourself, dont believe everything you read - challenge misconception and then we will all be the better for it

 

[Minor Axis]

the confederate flag is a battle flag,not a racism flag.......if english football can win the cross of st george back off the racists surely the southern states can do the same

They got it partially wrong, but the part they got right trumps the part they got wrong. No matter what they say, we'd have to read the minds of those who fly the Confederate flag to really know their motivations.

Here's a newsflash:

The big issue of the Civil War wasn't about racism and slavery. Slavery wasn't that common, actually. And those who did own slaves were more likely to treat them with respect than to be harsh and abusive. Even back then, sensationalism won out. The reason the South seceded was because of state rights versus federal rights. Oddly enough, the southern states felt oppressed and decided they'd rather govern themselves. Slavery was thrown into the mix to get people to support the war.

With as much respect as you can give your property especially if they did not mind you, hah. In no way shape or form can you argue slaves had it anywhere close to as good as real citizens who actually had rights. Fido can be treated well or if misbehaven, can be beaten into submission with impunity. Your "it wasn't so bad" statement holds no merit imo.

So no, that flag is NOT a symbol for racism and never has been. The people who equate it as such are either those looking to strike fear into minority groups and are few and far between or are the people within minority groups who will do anything to raise a little Cain to get a little attention and do the whole "woe is me" bit.

That perspective depends on if you come from the group of oppressors or the oppressed, now doesn't it? While some whites may see the Confederate flag as the good ole days, most/all blacks see it as representative of the bad ole days.

BTW, I agree that the Civil War started over States Rights not slavery. Slavery was an afterthought. In addition there were lots of people up North who believed in the principle of freedom, but wanted nothing to do with blacks so the South did not corner the market on racism.

 

[Peter Parka]

The swastika's origins have noble beginnings in neolithic and iron age culture as well as in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. I guess you would defend my right to hang one from my window and not be abused for it too, right?

 

[dkwrtw]

Owning a Confederate flag doesn't make someone racist guys, I'm actually kinda shocked that so many people think that way, I have one, do you guys think that makes me racist? No more than owning a German Flag makes me a Nazi, though some of you would probably think THAT too.

 

[skyblue]

The swastika's origins have noble beginnings in neolithic and iron age culture as well as in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. I guess you would defend my right to hang one from my window and not be abused for it too, right?

the 'swastika' you're thinking of is different,its in reverse so not the same symbol

 

[Zorak]

the 'swastika' you're thinking of is different,its in reverse so not the same symbol

that's not true. Swastika's have been coming in all sizes and orientations for thousands of years. That has absolutely no bearing. That means that, yes, some are exactly identical to the Nazi Party's flag.

 

[dt3]

I was thinking about it, and if I wanted to fly the most racist flag from American history, I would choose the flag of Liberia. You know, the place we set aside in Africa to ship all the freed slaves back to, due to the prevailing opinion that blacks could never socially integrate with whites.

A plan that Abe Lincoln himself, the Great Emancipator, supported.

Two of my favorite Lincoln quotes:
" I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so."

" I have no purpose to introduce political and social equality between the white and black races. There is physical difference between the two which, in my judgment, will probably forever forbid their living together upon the footing of perfect equality, and inasmuch as it becomes a necessity that there must be a difference, I, as well as Judge Douglas, am in favor of the race to which I belong having the superior position."