Are confederate flags a symbol of racism? Alot of people?

Question

think so, but I'd rather get others opionions before I start to judge a book by its cover.

Answer 1

A lot of people, especially in the black community think so and I know a lot of supremecist organizations use it too. However, the streak of independence that all Americans should have as well as pride are usually found within southern americans, including yours truly. I don't embrace racism, but I am proud that of being Southern and that the southern cause of the 1800's was mostly just. True, slavery is an abomination, but it has been going on since the dawn of time and an estimated 1 million Africans are enslaved off the East Coast of the Dark Continent every year (according to Amnesty International) plus an additional 5 million from the rest of the planet, including the U.S. But the southern plight was the same as that of the north, economic dominance of one over the other. Southerners paid 4 times as much in taxes and fees as compared to Northerners, who had 10 times the populace. I would never allow someone to force me to my knees just so they could have an easier life, while they stood on their soap box telling me I was no good, but still wanting me to give them more which is born on the back of that which I condemn. So I have always been proud of my Southern Heritage and though I fly the Stars & Bars, it sits forth on my flag pole. Beneath our Christian flag, our family flag, the U.S. flag, then the confederate flag.

Additionally, Dwight is a moron. Texas is an independent nation that is accepted as a state. That is why it is called the Lone Star State.

Answer 2

When it comes to the Confederate Battle Flag, I'd say the answer is yes and no. For some people... it came to mean (over time) southern roots, southern pride, and little else.

But in the 1950s and 1960s, the Confederate Battle Flag was added to certain southern states to "commerate" the centinennial of the civil war, and honor states rights, etc. But if that were so, it should have gone up in 1961 and come down in 1965. While the timing of the civil rights era may have been a coincidence, to put it up early (Georgia 1956) and not take it down in a timely fashion was a statement to many (again, not to everyone) of "we are fighting a new battle, a battle for states rights to not let the federal government tell us how to treat blacks."

And while the predominant flag carried by the KKK might have been our national flag, the Confederate Battle Flag was used in conjunction and so as been further tainted with hate.

So while some people consider it only as a symbol of southern heritage, not all feel that way. Personally, I'd prefer to see the stars and bars - the First National Flag of the Confederacy - be the symbol of sourhern pride. But then, I have never felt the need to identify a flag with southern heritage in the first place.

Answer 3

This is a touchy question, but I've developed my own opinion about it. Personally, I think it's silly, especially in a time of war, to fly a flag that shows division in the United States. Also, it is the flag of the losing team, but then again in other places, such as Spain, in the Catalonian region people still fly the Catalan flag.

The thing is this; no matter the conversation about states' rights, the South was dependent upon slavery for its wellbeing. There was a concept of Triangular Trade (sugar to New England, rum and goods to Africa, slaves to the south) which if disrupted would have caused the South financial ruin. So even though slavery was inhuman, those who were rich wanted it to stay alive. The funniest part of this is that those who fly the flag now are usually not in the income bracket where this Triangular Trade, or the Civil War for that matter, would have benefited them. The rich fostered the idea of superiority, and the poor fought and died on the battlefield. Only a small percentage (I've seen it at 1/3 and sometimes alot less) of Southerners could even afford slaves. This makes me wonder why you tend to not see them flown from limos, but do see them in the parking lot of your local flea market or Cracker Barrel.

But here's the gist of the arguement. The flag has been taken over by racists. In the 70s we used to wear shirts with rainbows on them. Since that symbol has now come to represent gay pride, you'll most likely not see me in one because I'm not gay and will not be marching in a gay pride march anytime soon. The Confederate flag is now associated with racists. And I think anyone who truly is not racist would not even want to think of wearing anything so associated. The swastika originally was a symbol used in the East meaning life, the sun, good luck, etc. But just because I study eastern religion, you will not see me walking down the street with one emblazoned on my chest any time soon. Honestly, I think if someone wears one or flies one, they don't care if anyone takes that as a racist symbol or not, including family, friends and the general public. And if they don't care, I think that means that they don't have the natural aversion to racism that intelligent and compassionate people have.

And as for being proud to be Southern, I think that's as silly as being proud that you are a certain color or that your family has money. You had no choice in any of these. Be proud of your achievements. Go out and do something to brag about.

Answer 4

Kudos to you for wanting to get others opinions and judge for yourself.

I personally don't think the Confederate Flag is racist. It is a part of our countries history, and should be preserved as such. The flag symbolizes a lot of things, including BUT NOT LIMITED to slavery. It also symbolized the lifestyle of the South...plantations, sugar cane, riverboats, tobacco fields. Some slaves fought during The Civil War for the South because they liked where they lived and worked....certainly not all though. Some slave owners were worse than others, just like anything else. The Confederate soldiers, whether you agreed with the cause or not, died, and for that reason also the flag need to be preserved. Out of respect for the dead.

We cannot learn from the past if we refuse to face it, and we cannot teach it if we censor it.

Answer 5

Good for you!
As a southern woman, I see a confederate flag as being a symbol of the south. For some, it may be a symbol of their racism, but I am proud to be southern. I am not proud of the southerners who kept slaves, but I am not that person.
If I were to have a confederate flag, it would symbolize my pride as a southerner. There is no other symbol to use (unless you are Texan...I am not). If there was, I'd use it.
So if you are concerned that someone is a biggot because they fly a confederate flag, think about the people who are just proud to be southern, and don't even think about racism in association with it.
Besides, people from the north consider the south to still kind of be it's own country. Because of the difference in culture and the accent. And the sweet tea. Fried Chicken and Grits. YUM!

Answer 6

Eh, the reason the Southern states seceded in the first place was because Lincoln was elected president and wanted to end slavery. The Southerners were more upset that it would 'ruin' the cotton industry rather than anything else. But, that shows they cared more about making money than the rights of black people. Which would make it a racist symbol.

BUT, Southerners grew attached to it because it represents the hardship their ancestors went through during the Civil War, etc.. I guess I see it as a Southern Pride thing first, racist symbol second.

Answer 7

The confederate flag does not symbolize racism for me - it symbolizes the pride of those who are from the south.

Answer 8

they imagine that because the Confederacy saved slavery of blacks. no matter if you wish it or no longer, it really is a kind of racism. i recognize that slavery change into no longer the in straight forward words situation of the yankee Civil conflict, yet 9 cases out of 10 when I see someone who has a accomplice flag, they're racist. i recognize that with the help of truly talking to them. once you're perfect that some do use it to symbolize southern delight, no longer easily everyone who makes use of the flag makes use of it for that reason on my own.

Answer 9

I guess it depends on who is displaying it ... I see confederate flag I think " Down South " ... that's about it ... if I see a confederate flag on some skin head wearing doc martins & red suspenders ... yeah I think it's a symbol of racism ... and they're trying to use it that way ... !

Answer 10

I fly the flag of the South. I honestly dont even think about blacks. at all. I think of Yankees.My grandfathers uncle lost his leg to a yankee bullet.His fathers home was burned down by yankee troops in Columbia S.C. when they burned 2000 homes and the whole city.I do not even consider what the blacks think, nor do I care.They dont care about my ancesters I have asked them,told them why I fly the flag. the hell with your people. they say.That war was'nt over slavery.If people would read real history books they would find that out.The Yankees were the victors. they wrote the history books. the north had slaves for as long as the South did. gen Grant said he wasnt going to give up his slaves. Lincoln said he was going to ship all negroes to South America. he only freed the Southern slaves, so they would run away and joiin in the attack on the South.The United States had slaves since its begining. but when a part leaves the union they do it because of slavery? that doesnt make sense at all. It was close to empossible for the Yankees to have abolished slavery in the South if the South had stayed in the union.That war was for many reasons. one. Southerners didnt get along with northerners .& most still dont like Yankees.two.Southerners dont like Yankees telling us what to do. third. that war was for freedom.fourth, they were taxing the South to death. tariffs. etc.& it was the second American revolution.That war was NOT about slavery. I dont see how people can beleive that. just because lincoln freed the Southern slaves, he did NOT free the northern slaves, think about it. its common sense. that war was simply to keep the South in the union. they needed us.If people would just read a few books and not beleive Yankee propuganda.there wouldnt be any misunderstanding. to think that the 95% of white people in the South would wont to leave the union and fight to the death so that the 5 % who had slaves could some how be better off?. Leaveing the union didnt ,make slave owners any better off. thats crazy, my people did nt have one slave.on both sides of the family. 95 % of Southerners didnt have slaves, why did they fight? to defend ourselfs, and for independence.and somehow I am not supposed to honor my ancesters because of Yankee propuganda, hell no.I respect my people and Love the South and her people.and I will fight to the death for mine and others rights to fly that flag.that I love so much.The U.S, flag flew over slavery since the start of this country. why not protest that flag?all this talk of the flag respresenting slavery is just plain out weird to me. I dont see it all.