Why do people try to link the Confederate flag with racism?

Question

So many people get mad when they see a Confederate flag because they are under misconception that the Civil War started because of slavery and the South wanting to keep slavery in effect so they put the Confederate flag and slavery together. However, this is not the case. The Civil War began with taxes: the North didn't take the South seriously and began taxing the South more and more. The South caught on and began separating from the Union state by state in 1861. The idea of stopping slavery wasn't brought about until near the end of the war around 1863 or 1864 (the war ended in 1865). Although slavery was a part of the war, it certainly wasn't the main part. So why is it that when I wear a Dixie Outfitters shirt in public that has the Confederate flag on it, I get the most horrible looks? I'm just showing my Southern heritage as all the other people who wear that flag are doing. Confederate flags are even being taken away from state flags because of this misconeption! Your opinion?

Ok, I see a lot of people who know their history and lot who don't. It's like what one person said: in public schools it is being taught that the Civil War began with slavery and if you want the truth (taxes), you have to go to college.
One person was confused saying only the South had slave owners. Wrong! Northerners had slaves too, look it up.
One person impressed me with saying there were many black men who faught and died WILLINGLY for the Confederate flag which is very true.
One person's response to the question said I don't need to shove my heritage down other's throats. I don't. I simply show that I am proud of it.
One said something about wearing a swastika and saying it is heritage. Although I like the comparison of what both symbols meant before they were completely taken out of context, the Civil War and WW2 were two COMPLETELY different wars. I think people would take someone wearing a swastika a lot more seriously than a Confederate flag!

One more thing: Google "causes of the Civil War" or "why the Civil War began". It should shed some light on the subject.

In regards to ericaofgordon's answer: it is true the confederacy died when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox. But when the Confederacy died, it became immortal. True there is no more Confederacy, but us Southerners like to rejoice in the fact that the South was able to do something that took that much courage.
Also I wanted to say the answer saying not everyone in the South was a slave owner: that is also very true. There were very few slave owners because slaves were so expensive and most (about 85 to 90 percent) Southerners were dirt poor.

Answer 1

Honey, you go on and wear that Dixie Outfitters shirt and dont be ashamed of it . People dont know their history.It pisses me off because they say racism, racism. I had ancestors who fought in the war and what they went through was horrible.And why is it people think every single white person in the South owned slaves? Most people were dirt poor and didnt own anything and barely could keep food on the table.Most were hard working farmers ,that keep to themselves,and worked for their families to stay alive.I'm proud of my southern heritage and for my ancestors who fought .And if that makes me a (racist) then ladee fu*king da.And the war did star over Taxation without representation. you keep wearing that shirt and dont be ashamed.Be proud they cant take that away from you.

Answer 2

some very good answers here--Emancipation Proclomation:1863, 13th amend:1865. Civil War started 1861. Slavery WAS legal in the North. IN FACT- The Emancipation only freed the slaves in the southern states (arguable if they were under US jurisdiction). It was a presidential order not a law. The 13th amend. in 1865 freed the slaves in the rest of the nation (north). So technically, slavery lasted longer in the north than the south. Slavery was just one of many issues involving the rights of states. I could go on for days about the misconceptions of the Civil War and Social culture of the era. But, enough of the history lesson.
Perception IS reality. The swastika at one time had nothing to do w/ the Nazis and the Confederate battle flag had nothing to do w/ slavery or racism. It was a battle flag and nothing else.
The reason the 'Rebel Flag' has gotten so much bad press is that so many negative groups (i.e KKK/ white supremists/ skinheads/ neo-nazis-idiots all) have adopted or aligned themselves with this symbol.
Other groups or individuals that identify themselves as 'rebels w/ out a cause' also use this symbol. I've seen African-American motorcyle groups(most of whom I seriously doubt are the slightest bit racist), rock stars, and courty artists wearing the 'rebel' bandana.
The 'perception' is that the flag is bad. If you fly it be prepared to get the looks. Those folks have just as much of a right to stare as you do to fly the colors. And , many will label you a racist for doing so. That is reality.
I also am trouble that people have abused and misused my heritage-nothing I can do except be good to folks. All of my ancestors (both sides) fought for the Confederacy. It troubles me that misconceptions have painted myself, all southerners, and our ancestors as racists. Most here are good people. People (from the North) tell me that racism is actually worse up North.
If you have to fly the colors of the South try the 'Stars and Bars'. It's not nearly as controversial as the battle flag. I'm in the south, I see it often and no-one seems to take offense to it.

Answer 3

Because they are ignorant of the causes of the Civil War. Lincoln, Sherman, and Grant were slave owners, Lee and Jackson were not. I also wear shirts from Dixie Outfitter and I am very proud of my Southern heritage. If they don't like what I'm wearing, they don't have to look at it.
I have done extensive genealogical research on my family and as far as I can tell.. no one in my family ever owned a slave. Can some of you Northerners say the same thing?

Answer 4

I agree that the civil war had a lot less to do with Slavery then it did taxes and State's rights. However, do to stupid organizations like the KKK and Neo Nazi's using the flag it has turned into a racist symbol. The best way, to take the symbol back, would be to come out against such organizations when the flag is used falsely. Until the day when there are no longer an racist people comes you will still get rude looks, but that is part of free speach.

Answer 5

Because it's REVERSE Racism and that's allowed.

Think of it..if whites are racists its not allowed. If other minorities are racist against whites its allowed and considered "okay" or considered "retribution".

So what better way to hit an american icon than hitting the confederate flag even though it WAS NOT a hatred symbol.

(btw it cant be the swastika because that was a german distorted hatred thing- Pre WW2 swastika's had nothing to do with hatred).

Answer 6

I have pleaded this exact case many many times.....Thing is in this country you dont learn this fact about the Civil war being over taxation of the rich southern plantation states until you reach college level history.....So much in the public school system is taught wrong ..... However.....I think many of the people who fly the rebel flag are racist pieces of crap so that is another way the flag gets a bad name.....it is usually yahoos with a 4 by 4 truck and a gun rack in the back folying it so it gets a bad name as a redneck racist symbol....I agree with you though....Americans are under the impression the Civil war was about slavery but it wasnt....Lincoln used the slavery issue in an ingenious way.......Trust me when I say I am whistling dixie here as a southern girl myself but its a very good thing the Union won - united we stand divided we fall!

Answer 7

There was a black man who marched in protest of the confederate flag being removed from; If I'm not mistaken, South Carolina. The man wore a confederate uniform. Aren't we disrespecting the black confederate soldiers by ignoring the fact that many African Americans willingly fought and died for that flag. History should be embraced and learned from not merely sterilized for our delicate constitutions.

Answer 8

Because they are dumb son of bitches!!
That flag means a lot to the people of the south.
More power to you, keep flying your flag and don't
let them stop you.

Answer 9

Because just like the swastika didn't start out as a symbol of ww2 and hitler, the confederate flag stands as a symbol to some people of slavery.

It's just a battle flag, but some people associate it with slavery. That is just a sign of poor education in our country, but I have to confess, if my father wasn't a civil war buff then I wouldn't know too much about it either.

Answer 10

The confederate heritage started with hate, the Very Kkk itself was started by the most decorated Confederate General, Bedford Forest, the first kkk members were made up of Confederate soilders and ministers, the white sheets represents the ghost of the confederate soilders. You need to study your heritage, You are right it is heritage, one that emerged from hate and wrongful treatment of human beings, I bet your parents would go crazy if you brought home a colored boy friend-I know they will. Simply because you wear the Dixie Outfitters, you know your history dont purposely ignore the wrongside of the confederacy it makes seem as if you are trying to justify white supremacy.