is displaying a confederate flag desecrating the stars & stripes?

Question

since the confederacy wanted no part of the union, why do so many people who want to ban flag burning also want to be able to display a battle flag aimed at defeating the union?

Answer 1

To say a war about states' rights to have slaves was not a war about slavery is kind of, um, ridiculous.

Answer 2

What many people call the "Confederate Flag" is really just the battle flag of one regiment in the Confederate Army.

I have rebel flags. When I fly them, it's below the American flag and my state flag. The rebel flag-to many-is just that, a REBEL flag. It's a sign of rebellion. And there are many who would like to see the south secede from the nation.

I also have a CSA sticker on my car. Most folks don't even know what CSA is. I get more grief about the rebel flag on my car than the CSA sticker, when in fact, the CSA sticker makes a greater statement.

Also, there are hard core racists who display the "real" confederate flag, the one that flew over the confederate capitols during the war. But because few people recognize it for what it is, no one says anything. Ignorance is bliss, right?

Answer 3

The flag is a representation of a group of states who wanted to succeed from the Union. If you really study the Civil War, it was not about slavery so much as it was about state's rights. The Confederacy took the same steps America took when we were trying to get our independence from England. The difference was the England lost and the North won their respective wars. So no, it is not desecrating the Stars and Stripes any more than flying the flag of Germany, Mexico or Iraq is.

Answer 4

The "Stars and Bars" as one Confederate flag is often called is an historical and cultural representation that we want to remember. I, personally, would never want slavery since that's just another form of welfare, albeit in a rough and abusive sort of way. I want to remember history, whether it be Nazi history, Napoleanic history, American history, etc., etc., etc.. It was a second major of mine in college, and that university, here in Texas, offered a Southern History class which I took and did rather well in, for me anyway. Since I was born and raised in the South, the "connection" between me and the Confederate flag becomes a little more personal, and so I like to fly that flag, and a few others. That's why I installed three 20 foot flag poles at my new house deep in the country, two of which fly various Confederate flags along with a Texas flag, and one of which flys an American flag and a Texas flag. It's also important to remember that there was a HUGE State's Rights vs. Federal Government Rights issue as the United States formed, and that was THE issue that brought the two sides to war, hidden in our text books and slanted and uneducated comments under the appearance of the issue of slavery. Look at which States promoted State's Rights and you'll find they weren't all the traditionally perceived Confederate States. So the issue isn't a political one, although some people might say so or act so. It's an historical or cultural one, and the remnants of State's Rights are still there, but now all 50 States take care of that issue in the traditonal two-party political system we have, the Republicans being more favorable to local rights and freedoms, the democrats wanting all power in their hands in Washington, D.C.. I think it's good you ask that question since so much misunderstanding is out there. God Bless you.

Answer 5

Some of the ignorant answers on here are reasons there is nothing but emotional debate over something they have no clue about.

In fact the guy who said it was a "unionist flag of England" is totally clueless.

The Confederate battle flag's design originates from the Cross of St. Andrews, patron saint of Scotland, which fought for soverignty from an oppressive English rule for centuries. You still see remnants of the Cross in several State flags (Alabama and Florida mainly).

We Southerners fly it mainly as a representation of the Army that fought to defend the land and homes that were invaded. Yes, inclusion of the Army's flag wasn't until the 50s and 60s over a racial/State's rights issue (thankfully, that era is behind us) but the Confederate National Flag had always been part of several flags of the South. In fact, it is now back in prominence in the flag of Georgia while Mississippi remains the only state to continue to fly the Confederate battle flag in its colors.

Read "Our Embattled Banner" before pouncing on us again. There are no greater patriots than those in the South, so don't dare challenge our patriotism and loyalty. Don't try the wimpy argument of racism or stupidity, you just look stupid doing so.

I'll continue to fly this flag of the South in Iraq just a notch lower than that of the United States.

Answer 6

I'd rather see the confederate flag flying high than a Mexican, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, German, Chinese, etc flag. At least the confederate flag is representative of the US.

The confederate flag may represent the secession or slavery to some, but to most it is simply a symbol of southern roots and a loyalty to the "southern" lifestyle.

AB: READ A HISTORY BOOK.

Answer 7

it displays the fact that the south wanted to succeed from the union and almost did, there is nothing racist about it, a partiuclar group of people made that flag be there calling card for all of their ills, so if they don't like it oh well deal with it, it is part of our history. That is what I have to say about that, flags didn't people slaves, people did

Answer 8

The Confederate flag is racist. It only became popular to use in the 1950's and 60's as a protest against the racial reforms going on during those days. People like to pretend that its some symbol of states' rights or of southern history, but its just a symbol of white supremacy.

But, since I do love my free speech, I say wear it if you like. Just know what it means.

Answer 9

I know plenty of people who claim it's their heritage. If it were mine, I'd be embarrassed by it. To most Americans the confederate flag is a symbol of oppression of a people based only on the color of their skin. To wave a flag and say that's our heritage is pathetic in my opinion. As to whether it desecrates the stars and stripes, I don't quite see what you mean by that.

Answer 10

i dont see the problem with the flag. but i see a problem if it is posted up on various plublic places that welcome everyone. it means different things to different people. i dont even have a problems with the kkk, but the point is this. this is a free nation to all and since we all are here we must respect the spaces that are for our public use. now if a kkk person dont want blacks in their neighborhood i understand that. but i think that it should be zoned for that. but when they leave that zone then their beliefs or mine should not apply. see this is another point that i stressed earlier. years from now we will look back in history and say dang we were so stupid back then... because we will finally see it is not about race class sex creed cast or color , but about the spirit in the man and spirit has no color