I am wondering why would someone have to give up a symbol of their history for the sake of someonelses history? Most people do not think of slavery when they see that beautiful flag.
2006-10-14 15:45:28 · 10 answers · asked by Kellie W 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Ok, I knew this would be a good question but, I am far from being old enough to have been living in the days of slavery. this flag symbolizes a rebel state of mind and life that used to be in the south. LONG after the slavery days. This is why I think MOST people do NOT think of slavery when thye look at the REBEL flag. Keep the answers and opinions coming ya'll!!
2006-10-14 16:18:55 · update #1
You should not have to give up the Union Jack! And if you do, you are giving up a part of who you are. This flag is a symbol for a whole people. It is the symbol for the Confederate soldiers that died to save there way of life. It is a symbol for the Northern soldiers that gave their lives as well. A symbol of what they were fighting against. I do not think that slavery was a good thing. But, you know what? Having to give up that flag is just making you a slave to the ones that want it taken down. If you have to give it up because it is offensive to blacks, then they should have to give up there Rap music. It is offensive to millions of whites. Especially when a lot of the songs are racist in content.
Kill whitey! Kill the cops! Rape etc. Etc. Etc.
It is not against the law to own a Nazi flag. So what the hell?
If you have to be tolerant of them, then they can be tolerant of the Union Jack. A symbol of Southern Pride! Don't let them get away with it! It is part of your freedom of speech rights!
You do not have to believe in slavery to love that flag! Which I do not believe in, but having a Southern family only one generation away , I love the Union Jack myself. Long may she wave! And you have a right to wave it!
2006-10-14 16:01:54 · answer #1 · answered by It All Matters.~☺♥ 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I debate about this constantly. He is southern and sees the rebel flag as a symbol of those who stand up for what they see as right, even if they may lose. I am northern and see it as the symbol of a people who fought change and held to slavery. Even despite how I feel, I got him a small rebel flag that he keeps on his nightstand next to the bed.
In an objective context, it should be given up because its obsolete. The south lost. There is no confederacy. It is also offensive to many people whose ancestors genuinely suffered under the people that saluted that flag. For many descendants of slaves, seeing the rebel flag is like a Jewish person looking at the flag of the Third Reich (Nazi flag with the swastika). That flag genuinely meant something to people, too. But they lost the war. (Thank goodness for that!) Their flag is now obsolete and offensive.
In a subjective context, a flag is only a symbol. Symbols have no power of their own, only what people give to them. Some people associate the rebel flag with bigotry and hatred. Others associate it with their culture. But in the end, it's just a piece of cloth.
2006-10-14 23:09:52 · answer #2 · answered by Avie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's offensive. It represents a period in our history that most are not proud of--a patriarchal society that involved slavery and racism. It's just not a good idea. Just like owning a flag with a swastika stamped on it. Yeah, some might claim that it doesn't hurt anyone technically. But it represents something that most would like to forget. I know that I'll never really be able to truly understand your stance. Born an ethnic minority, I've seen the negative effects of racism and the hurt and pain something as simple as a flag can cause. I know that the Confederate Flag isn't responsible for that. But still, it's just not a good idea to do that to people.
2006-10-14 22:55:10 · answer #3 · answered by Love, Jealous One, Love 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, others do and do not interpret it as merely "a symbol of their [someone elses (your)] history." Debates as to what the flag symbolizes and what it does not symbolize are worthless. Some would say that the flag symbolizes slavery and others would say that the flag symbolizes a group of states that were seriously concerned about losing their way of life.
2006-10-14 22:58:43 · answer #4 · answered by Monsieur Rick 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
We shouldn't have to give up our Flag, it's history not Halo's. And the majority that is thinking about slavery is the same majority that has been holding there hands out for hand outs from the Flag flyer's. Why do we have fourth and fifth generation welfare recipients that have never worked nor even tried to get a job??? Keep your Flag and Fly it Proudly...
2006-10-14 22:54:33 · answer #5 · answered by renegadeslawdawg 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do Native American Indians ask us to give up Old Glory because we took their land. We all are on their land. Be proud of your history. Quit beating a dead horse. Let the flag be. I like the confederate flag.
2006-10-15 08:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by fred k 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The swastika was for 1000's of years a 'good' symbol.
That one's gone now.
I'm not sure if your assessment is right that 'most people do not think of slavery'. While white southerners do not seem to think of slavery, pretty much everyone else does. Well, majority anyway.
2006-10-14 22:47:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's called political correctness, if any term can be deemed offensesive to any other person then it is incorrect to use it. People now days are very thin skinned and easily offended .
2006-10-14 22:53:07 · answer #8 · answered by thanatos_azrael 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
you shouldnt. its my opinion that the confederate flag is sure sign that I'm among rednecks, but then again...to each their own.
2006-10-14 22:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by Candace R 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO "GIVE IT UP"! YOU SHOULD, HOWEVER THINK OF OTHERS AND PERHAPS THAT PART OF SOUTHERN HISTORY WAS BASED IN HATE AS WELL AS IGNORANCE! SO RUN RIGHT OUT AND GET YOU SOME BOILED PEANUTS AND PLEASE ABOVE ALL NEVER SECOND GUESS YOUR LIMITED THOUGHTS!
2006-10-14 22:57:54 · answer #10 · answered by james f 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋