The Confederate flag, what do you feel it stands for, is it offensive to you and are you for it?

Question

JW.

Answer 1

It has its place in American history for it was the official flag of the CSA (Confederate States of America).

But the war is over. . .and it's time to retire the flag from public display. . .while not forgetting it entirely.

Btw, what most Americans today fail to realize is that slavery was doomed to extinction. . .in time. . .even within the CSA. . .had the war ended with a Southern victory. . .which is why I don't find its color and pattern especially offensive.

Answer 2

The flag like anything else stands for what you make it stand for. I can take any flag in the Union and make it a known symbol for hate and injustice.

It doesn't offend me, of course I am Southern and I like history. I just keep in mind that slavery didn't start with the Confederates and that it was allowed by the men who have statues in Washington today. The Civil War did not help the slaves so much as set them free with no rights in a country that just seemed to forget they existed. Hate is a American problem and always has been, the Confederacy was born out of a lot more than slavery but just like the Union, had the same morals toward slavery. It was a political move by Lincoln halfway through the war that changed things.

I see the flag as it was. It is a part of history that will forever be debated. I choose not to fly to more known Confederate flag, and display the Stars and Bars. I feel it is a compromise that I get to have a small part of history while not making people uncomfortable. I feel that it is anyones right to fly any flag they want. I mean after all, everyone has a flag these days.

Answer 3

Mixed feelings. I can see it as standing both as just a symbol of the South, or a symbol for slavery. It depends on what attitude you have when you fly it. I don't think it should be gotten rid of necessarily; it is a part of our history. It represents a divided and turbulent time in our nation's history. That should not be forgotten. At the same time, such a symbol should not be used to spread a message of hate or discrimination. In general, I think the Confederate Flag should have what respect and reverence that is due to it, but our true flag is the Stars and Stripes now, so maybe the Confederate Flag belongs in a museum more than anything.

Answer 4

The Confederate flag embodies different emotions and often extreme emotions in people. You should receive many different views of what the Confederate flag means to each of them.
My heritage is from above the Mason-Dixie line (but mind you, just above the line, my ancestors were enlisted on both sides).
I feel as if to the more common man that the flag was a representation of not letting someone else tell them how to live their life and retaliation to others who judged them.
It is a pride thing, I don't think intelligent people see it as a hate thing.
I like the flag and have nothing against it, but then again I was not targeted by ignorant people waving colors that were handy.
Out of respect for those who oppose the flag I will not hang it at my residence, and since New Orleans - Katrina '05 I haven't let Ole' Glory wave on my door step.

Answer 5

Hi! I am a Texas lady....growing up I really didn't understand the significance of the rebel flag. I do now. We can not change history we can only hope to learn from it so as not to repeat it. When I was very little there were still black and white restrooms segregated schools and restaurants and very segregated communities. In my life time there have been huge changes. Most of the generation that supported the status quo are dieing off and except for a few loonies most rational people(of all races) are anti-prejudice. The rebel flag is a part of history.....I rejoice that that what it stood for is history. There are now and always have been hate mongers who thrive on stirring up strife and causing division. What we need now as a people is time to heal. There is not one person living now who was responsible for the things that flag represented.

Answer 6

Dude I'm neither black, or a southerner. So my view has no emotional or historical connection to it. Having said that, The Stars and Bars has a place in our collective history as a symbol of different social thought embraced in the time it flew over the CSA. Sure it stood for continued slavery, and that was dead wrong. Should it be banned completely? No. Its value as a symbol of intolerance alone justify's its existence. To remind us all that there was a time here in America when our stated values of freedom for all were in question, and many many people had to die to settle it. There are those who claim the Confederate Flag as a symbol of their heritage. I say fine as long as that heritage doesn't include continued intolerance for anyone. If it is used as a tool to fight intolerance and to progress as a species fine.

Answer 7

NO, I have one as well. Its not about racism as many people have made it to be. I think its history and part of the southen tradition. The civil war was about North and South and indrustry, slaves was not even big factor, Notherners had slaves at the time of the war, People in this country have taken history and turned it around to suite there needs. KKK tokeing one around has made the flag into a racist flag. Around here in Tn even some blacks have a rebel flags. I have black friends and non of them are offended by it. Some do get that way but I explain history where some people fail to listen in school about it.

Answer 8

Musicbizandvid's answer is somewhat articulate and thorough, and that i concur. I additionally notice that the genuine debate isn't despite if people might desire to be allowed to show or fly the flag (as a results of fact the 1st modification might truthfully limit any genuine limit on that, undertaking to my real to tell you that i think of it particularly is irresponsible, for the excuses Musicbizandvid pronounced) yet despite if STATES and/or different government entities might desire to have the skill to fly the flag (or incorporate the celebs and Bars of their very own state flags). that's the genuine difficulty that bothers me: A state incorporating or flying the celebs and Bars (a) undermines the authority of the U. S., asserting that the South grew to become into real in its insurrection against the Union, (b) insults the ancestors of slaves via "proudly" showing a logo it fairly is hooked as much as slavery, Jim Crow rules, and exploitation of others. attractiveness of historic past is one element; openly and proudly showing it on the suitable of a state capitol dome, in implicit recognition and encouragement of those historic activities, is yet another.

Answer 9

I think it is well past the time that the southern states got over the past and join the United States. I can't understand why the government tolerates the use of the flag anyway.

Answer 10

It stands for the confederacy and all the things it supported including slavery and racism. I don't think people should proudly display this but that's just me. Maybe some people are proud of those values, it's a free country and they can do that even though i think it's disgusting and offensive.