I personally think that the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism but some people think it represents history and it isn't offensive. What do you think?
2007-01-15 10:13:08 · 20 answers · asked by veolapaul 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
A lot of you are saying that it's your families history so why hide it..
...so it would be ok if I wore the nazi flag on my shirt?
2007-01-15 10:37:40 · update #1
It's an article of history that carries the image of racism due to the KKK's use of the symbol.
The Swastika (nazi flag) is a good comparison. This symbol's origins are as a sacred symbol in Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism). But because an evil man committed atrocities under the flag bearing it's symbol, the image is forever paired in people's minds with death camps & gas chambers.
It is sad that a symbol that used to mean wonderful things have been poisoned with such evil actions. And that may be a good way to view the confederate flag. It used to reflect the pride in a persons southern heritage, but the KKK has successfully twisted it to mean hatred of Blacks (among others.)
A symbol is just a symbol. Neither good or bad. What it represents to a given people is what is important.
2007-01-17 16:30:41 · answer #1 · answered by Smart Kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is both. Without slavery the secession that led to the Civil War would not have occurred. I believe the flag is a symbol of a racist history. When the Declaration of Independence was written blacks were not citizens. The situation had not changed when the consititution was ratified. With all that in mind you could make a case that the U.S. Flag is a symbol of the same racist history. I don't believe either of these items are inherently racist. As a black man I am not offended by the site of the Confederate Flag. When I see it in the hands of Klansmen, it's the Klansmen who is offensive not the flag. This debate will rage on, but I am more concerned with modern institutionalized racism than historical symbols of it.
2007-01-15 11:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by pure_genius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, a Confederate Flag is not an overt sign of racism and should not be treated as such. The Confederacy is a strong symbol of Southern heritage. Both sides fought heroically during the Civil War and I feel this is something that should be honored.
2016-05-24 17:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally know black people who have the confederate flag on their trucks. I live in Tampa Fl, and their is a huge mix of ethic cultures here, but for many that flag is a article of history and heritage.
Like anything else, however, it can also be used as a symbol of racism.
2007-01-15 10:20:06 · answer #4 · answered by billy d 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It represents history and isn't offensive. And if people are offended, that's their own perogative. I'm offended at people who protest soldier's funerals but the government wont do anything about it, so why should the government step in and take away the confederate flag? Mind you I don't have one, as I am an American, not a confederate, but still, we should have the freedom to keep one if we choose
2007-01-15 10:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
What the hell?! The confederate flag never represented racism, and the civil war wasnt fought over race at all. The south wanted individual states to govern themselves, in all things, laws regulations, taxes, ect. The north wanted "as we have" the govt to control the states and decide laws. The ONLY reason Lincoln (who owned slaves) was talked into the idea of freeing slaves was because he neede troops to defeat the south. learn your history.
2007-01-15 10:44:53 · answer #6 · answered by raztis 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
for many people it is a symbol of racism ,but it is a part of my families history .why hide our history ?my ancestors were confederate soldiers and I am not responsible for what they did but I would never deny my families history. but times were different back then and all things happen for a reason .
we actually own land close to the confederate reunion grounds in Texas
2007-01-15 10:21:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
It IS representative of history, but what history is that?
It's a history of demanding states rights at the cost of American unity. It's a history of believing that a "way of life" (euphamism for slavery) should be preserved, regardless of whether the prevailing (correct) view was that that way of life was detrimental to human beings. It's a history of racism, segregation, and rebellion against the federal government.
I live in the North, and my great grandfather was, I believe, in the KKK or some iteration thereof. Because it's my "history," which led me to where I am, does that mean I should brandish the KKK shield? Or allow my kids to dress up as knights for halloween? No. It may be part of my history, but it's not what you display from your flagpole, it's what you learn about.
Those who do so are adopting a message -- it's "we don't care what the federal government thinks, we're going to live our lives the way we want to under our beliefs." The symbol that they choose to use carries the connotation that those beliefs include segregation, slavery, racial inequality, and hate. It's a symbol that has meant (and continues to mean) a perverted form of "purity" and "separation." No wonder it's been adopted by so many hate groups.
2007-01-15 10:29:48 · answer #8 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It is a symbol of the past in American History. A past that was dark, but a past that shouldn't be forgotten. It is both based on the individual and what they believe
2007-01-15 12:06:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in SC and I have heard it both ways.
I am married to a black woman and we could care less if it was there or if someone burnt it.
I also know several black people who support it so its not all about racism but about patriotism for the south.
2007-01-15 10:17:02 · answer #10 · answered by BORED AT WORK 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋