Confederate States of America?

Question

Does a certain group of people have the right to exert their influence, attempting to obliterate the Confederate States portion of American History?

I refer to the fact that over the previous couple of years, a state has been forced to either change their state flag (remove the Confederate flag part), or they would boycott all businesses in that state.

Somewhat recently, a schoolgirl was told to either change/remove the Confederate motif from her clothes, or she would not be allowed to attend school.

The group of people state that the Confederate States flag violates their Constitutional Rights.

Okay, now my question for all readers is this: doesn't this group of people's attempts at obliterating the Confederate States portion of American History violate my Constitutional Rights?

I say it does.

How say other readers of this question?

Answer 1

I think there should be freedom of speech and expression in schools, within limits. I don't know a lot about this case, but from the way you describe it, she should have a right to wear a confederate decal. However, if the school had a policy governing student dress that was constitutionally sound, the school board was well within its rights. Students don't have unlimited freedom of expression or other rights in school that they may have outside school. Up to a certain age (16 I think) students are compelled to attend school.
You also have to understand that a lot of people associate the Confederate flag with racism and find it offensive.
I think we should talk about everything that happened in the antebellum South, the Confederate South, the Reconstruction South, etc. This part of history should certainly not be forgotten, or obliterated, as you say.
Consider this: if the CSA had succeeded in it's effort, the Constitution which you claim reverence for would not have been applicable, and there very well may not have been any freedom of expression in this area.

Answer 2

The Confederate States of America represents divisiveness and it was an ugly and nasty part of American history so why anybody would have an interest in this is beyond me. What if there were several generations in your family that were proud of being cannibals? Would you like to carry on that heritage or show homage by wearing a shirt or bumper sticker proclaiming your cannibalistic heritage. That being said, I think the confederate bumper stickers and flag is really comical but I think it is the people who are the most passionate about this that I find comical. I think if you want to display the flag in your yard or on your car then fine but as far as a government institution displaying it-I think it is inappropriate. There was a war fought and one of those sides displayed this flag.

Answer 3

It does,but The Laws of our Land are now being made to suit those who oppose just about everything that is or was a Law.(If that makes sense to you I hope it does) We are too busy supporting those who are from other countries or Liberals in our country that we are slowly losing face. People hold the Flag as a racism thing that the KKK took over and tarnished. But there are few who feel that this is a part of our history and should not take be taken away lest we forget.

Answer 4

i believe it does. i know the arguement used is that it denotes slavery but i disagree. it's like the bumper sticker says:
"IT'S NOT ABOUT HATE, IT'S ABOUT HERITAGE"


P.S. I understand what you are saying however I think that it is unfair to compare the confederacy to nazis. It was a totally different time, totally different issues, many more than slavery, and there were some very great Americans who fought for the south. The concept of slavery is reprehensible to me too and it is hard to seperate that issue from our thoughts of the confederacy...but the south was so much more than that. They were fighting for principles that many of the founding fathers were in favor of. I think we can be glad the union was preserved and still honor the courage of those who fought for the south.

King Midas who is the moron? .obviously you are uneducated on the subject. The confederacy was not formed to preserve slavery. Slavery wasn't even an issue. Do you know when the south suceeded from the union? Do you know when the immancipation proclamation was signed? You might want to get your facts straight before you start calling people moron.
For your information for something to be your heritage would mean it is something you "inherited" from prior generations, therefore of course you wouldn't have been around when the thing that was part of your heritage occured.

Answer 5

The war of "Northern Aggression," has been ignorantly portrayed since its lose by southerners. Many neglect to realize that only about 12% of southerners were slave owners, but nevertheless, all residents and citizens were passionate racists who thought "blacks" were inferior and worth fighting and dieing over. The truth is, there are many reason that contributed to the south succeeding, though in the eyes of this government it is unconstitutional to do so, for a state needs the approval of Congress. However, there are many cases and instances such as this one that seriously violate 1st ammendment rights. Ernesto 'Che' Guevara who is known as the "killing machine" who ruthlessly executed and murdered anyone who was against his Cuban Revolution, is heavily marketed. Products (sweathshirts, hoodies, shirts, key chains, coffee cups, etc.) are being sold by corporations (Burlington Coat Factory) both big and small all throughtout the United States. However, no story exists for schools or universities making students remove their sweatshirts with pictures of the socialist 'Che' because they are offensive. The heart of the issue is...is it legal for schools or anyone else, to tell someone what to wear. As much as people might think you are stupid or a racist for wearing things that represent the C.S.A that is purely their ignorance. First ammendment rights clearly state that you are allowed to, cut and dry.

Answer 6

Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Confederate flag represents a time in history the violated just that for blacks. How about if I walked down the street with a swastika print shirt what would the symbolic meaning be, 100,000 of jews that were killen in internment camps and the millions more that were displaced.
It is easy to for whites to feel unsympathetic toward people of colors feelings because it was their ancestors that were the perpentrators. Just like it is hard for me to feel sympathetic towards jews because they owned slaves as well.

P.S. This section goes out to the morons that state that the confederate flag represents heritage not hate. There is no one living today that was around when the civil war was fought. Secondly, the confederacy was formed for the purpose of maintaining their slaves so how can it not be about racism.
Finally, the south is a part of the whole United States prior to the civil war they all flew the same flag "Stars and Stripes".

Answer 7

Why should the USA as a nation recognize the attempt to break away from it? Like a previous answerer said, the Confederacy exists no more. The Confederate flag is little more than racist symbolism today.

Answer 8

As the winners of wars get to choose what history gets written, and the Confederate States of America lost, what choice do you have?

Answer 9

I agree with you. Freedom of speech all the way. Unfortunately, that means we have to listen to these idiots dribble on about crap like "the confederate flag stands for racism" who obviously have no idea what they are talking about. really now people do us all a favor and do a little research before you open your mouth with that BS.

Answer 10

Ironically...making the girl change her shirt was a violation of her civil rights...but ACLU type people rarely see that side of the coin. It is all about them. Noone should tamper with, or remove any part of our history. Good or bad...it made us what we are today. And history books should be truthful, not just concerned with being PC.