Are you offended by the Confederate Flag?

Question

As a both black and southern girl, to me it's a very gray subject. So for me it depends on the context-who's using the flag and WHY they're using the flag; it's not always a racial thing. It's a very gray area with a complex history and the flag means many different things to many different people.

Like if it's two klansmen that can barely spell "civil war" driving in circles on my front lawn spraying mud on my house waving the stars and bars, then you definitely know that's BAD usage of the flag.

bebeeangeldust agreed it's VERY entertaining lol.

Answer 1

I am also Southern, but am a white male who has flown the Stars and Bars, but never w/out Old Glory on top (at least on the highest pole). The Confederate flag does not represent racism to me; it represents the largest loss of life America has ever known. It represents my Southern heritage. I appreciate your position - too many people look instantly for the bad in everything.

Answer 2

I look at it this way: the Confederate flag is part of US history and that's just it; it's in the past. I don't think anyone has any right to use it for anything other than describing history. Anyone still using must have a problem; let go of the past, people!!! So no, I'm not typically offended by the Confederate flag but it would depend on it's use. I live in a state that was a territory during the civil war so I have never seen the Confederate flag in practical use - it's just a piece of history. The Confederate flag is so yesterday!

Answer 3

I am not offended by the flag. I actually have it tatted on my shoulder, but not because I Believe all the crap about it. I don't hold to the "slavery" issues. I think It was all bad ****, and wish that people could see past color. I just like the flag. The Stars and Bars didn't choose to be displayed as a racial flag. They had no say in the matter. I like the flag cause it is the coolest one, so much better than just the plain Stars and Stripes ~hand on heart~ which of course I also like. What offends me is peoples attitudes about the flag. The people who think that it's one way or the other, and just can't see the "Gray" area, as you put it. Attitude is everything.

Okay so what I am saying, is I agree with you!!

Answer 4

No and I like Stars and Bars, haven’t heard that in a while (I’m up North). It depends, as you said, on Why. I’m offended by a rebellion as an American, ordinarily I like seeing a US flag but not when it’s hung upside down to insult. (a lot of muslims do that in my neighborhood, in fact all their businesses that fly a flag do) So it’s all in the intention. A flag is a piece of cloth. The stars and bars design is part of American history, and I don’t think it should be removed entirely for that reason. However, no rebel flag should ever fly from a US government building - that spot is for old glory alone. And you must fly a flag lower than the stars and stripes at all times unless you are declaring something to be part of another nation (like an embassy) I’m more offended by foreign flags displayed without a stars and stripes above them. I think the confederate flag can remind people and teach people, and it was a pivotal moment in the past.

Answer 5

I like the Confederate flag, because I'm a southerner, and I have some pride in the region and its history. But as you said, it's a matter of context. I wouldn't fly it outside my house, but I had one hanging on the wall inside for a while. (I didn't buy it; it was a gift from my former wife, a Californian, who thought all Southerners were obsessed with the Civil War.)

I feel the same way about the Mexican flag. If I see it around Cinco de Mayo, it's no big deal. When I see protestors carrying it through the streets, it bothers me. It's all about context.

JMB

Answer 6

No. But then again, I am a white, southern female with blue eyes and blond hair. I agree that sometimes dipshit groups will hijack a symbol for their own use and start something that shouldn't even be a thing, instead of designing their own symbol. There are so many other things that go in everyday life that are more impacting than a flag. It can be a challenge just to go to the grocery store without some kind of group starting something with another. But I can tell that you are educated, so of course there will be gray area. A lot of people that don't know the difference will just go along with what they hear.

Answer 7

It is a part of history.. but when it is used as a slur it is bad.

I am dating a black girl and the neighbors put up a rebel flag the other day (never did it before in 15+ years I have been here)

I told her about it... IF they do it again, I will call her and I have an old one somewhere in back.. going to find it and fly it to, then she come over... should take all the wind out of thier flag!!!! lol

Answer 8

I'm not offended by it, but I also don't see why people revel in it. It stands for one of two things:

1) a racist, segregationist past
2) a seperatist state that fought a war against the United States

Neither of these should be celebrated. There is no "Union" flag - it is called the American flag. Flying the confederate flag says something about the people who stand by it.

Answer 9

I'm truly a southerner, born & raised in Arkansas. No, I'm not offended by the confederate flag because I see it as representing the South, just like the Union flag represents the North.

The confederate flag should not be a racial thing considering that there were black men who carried this flag & fought for the south.

It's STUPID rednecks who make it a racial thing. Rednecks can't help that they're uneducated!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

It doesn't offend me, but I just think that the people who use it as a racist symbol are to be pitied. It is a symbol of history in this country. I think some people use it the wrong way. It's just a flag though and it doesn't even mean anything anymore. So, if people want to be stupid, let them. I feel sorry for people who have so much hate in their hearts. But, that flag isn't just a racist symbol. So, it's not always used to mean hate.