Should we ban the Confederate Flag the way Germany banned the swastika?

Question

If not, why not? Both are painful reminders of past racist oppression.

Answer 1

It should be banned.

The Confederates were racist, and tortured and hurt the minorities they didn't like. Their flag represents a terrible era for our nation.

Answer 2

even as i'm in my opinion hostile to both, the SCOTUS has stated flags are an expression of freedom of speech. My family members each now and then flies an Israeli flag and some could merchandise to that. I hate what both flags stand for yet I particularly could confess that i do no longer imagine they could be banned. i favor to fly my flag and if i do no longer help others, regardless of the truth that if I disagree with them...i will not assume the right to exercising my freedoms both. What separates the confederates and the nazi's is that maximum confederates fought because they believed they were being invaded by technique of the north. The nazis fought for most stuff, jointly with the systematic destruction of the Jewish, Roma, communists etc which they tried to finish yet failed. Confederates seldom used babies for objective practice and did not deliver practice quite some blacks to Atlanta to be gassed. Slavery became very incorrect yet no former slaves are nonetheless alive. Holocaust survivors nonetheless stay. The flags and their meanings are very diverse to my information.

Answer 3

Of course the Confederate Flag should not be banned. Aside from the obvious first amendment implications, no one has never learned from an experience that has been denied. We need to remember all of our history, the greatness and the imperfections if we want to continue to grow.

And, to the ignorant user who said that the Democrats were the party that supported slavery back then: political parties evolve (much like animals do if you believe in evolution). There's a reason the Democratic Party lost the South when the Civil Rights Act was signed. That was 1964, not 1864.

Answer 4

No I don't think it should be banned. That flag is exactly the reminders one needs to remember the terrible oppression it and the people who stand by still today inflicked upon another race.

The flag much like Mr. T who wears loads of gold chain necklaces to represent the slavery that occurred. Some and not all were oppressed as once thought and misled to believe. Not all states in that time held or had slaves - only 5 -6 states represented slavery. So logic tells me that not every white or their ancestors owned or oppressed in this country. Again during those times in history.

Funny how the history channel, discovery channel, and PBS stations are finding facts that some were brought here as, and for the purpose of slavery. While others worked the ships to pay for their passage to here as free men. Go figure...

Answer 5

hiding a part of history like they do in Germany is not a good thing. In Germany there are still Nazis so what exactly does banning the symbol do? i would say nothing. the same effect would be done if the confederate flag was banned plus it would give confederate sympathizers fuel to spread there hate. The problem lays on the people who support these parties not the symbols that they choose to represent them.

Answer 6

If George W Bush has anything to say about it, the swastika will be back in style with a vengeance before the 2008 election and long after it's over.

Answer 7

Yet another wayward soul who knows nothing about the history of the U.S., but claims to. Simple facts those of us who take the time to learn about things before we spout off already know:

1. Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson (2nd in command of Confederate Army) opened the first school for black children in the north or south. Paid for with his own money.

2. Jackson, Lee, and Longstreet (top 3 commanders in the Confederate Army) all repeatedly petitioned the Confederate Congress to abolish slavery.

3. Abraham Lincoln established the nation of Liberia in Africa, intending to ship all blacks out of the United States after the war (not done due to his assassination).

4. Ulysses S. Grant (Union commander at the end of the war) held slaves until the 13th amendment was passed.

5. Concentration camps were established all over the north (7 in Missouri alone) to eliminate any political opposition to Lincoln.

6. Lincoln ordered the arrest and imprisonment of the Mayor of Baltimore, and the entire Missouri and Maryland State legislatures to eliminate political opposition.

7. Lincoln gave orders throughout the north to those staffing polling places to give different colored ballots to those would would vote against him. Anyone voting against Lincoln was not allowed to vote and arrested.

8. Lincoln ordered the US military to arrest and imprison the editors, owners, and writers of 6 northern newspapers that printed articles critical of him.

9. 99% of Southern citizens did not own slaves and had nothing to do with slavery. Slaves were only owned by the extremely wealthy. The same percentage of the hundreds of thousands who fought and died to preserve their homes and freedom had NO stake in slavery. They fought to preserve their homes and the State's rights, nothing more. Until the 14th Amendment (which 16 states were not allowed to vote on) the States held more power than the federal government. This is the way the Constitution was set up.

10. While serving as a Congressman from Illinois Lincoln voiced his support for slavery numerous times. In his personal letters he described black people as "inferior", and "sub-human".

11. The emancipation proclamation freed no one. It was issued simply as a motivation for Union troops as they had been losing the war badly before it was issued. It only freed those in Confederate held territories, which Lincoln had no authority over.

12. Riots took place in every major northern city (Detroit, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, among others) when the draft was initiated, as the vast majority of northern citizens understood the war was illegal.

13. Not ONE Confederate citizen or soldier was ever convicted of treason. It was widely recognized by courts in the north (including the Supreme Court) that secession is perfectly legal. Confederate President Jefferson Davis was released after the white house lawyers informed President Johnson they could not convict him.

If Adolph Hitler had won WWII, do you think we'd see him as the murdering tyrant he was? No, his face would be on Mt. Rushmore and we'd be raised to see him as the great savior of humanity. History is written by the victors, and the only reason we see lincoln as a good man (instead of the criminal he was) is the propaganda written by the victors.

The Confederate Flag has been desecrated by bigoted morons like the KKK. It does not, and has never stood for hatred or bigotry. If I take the French flag and claim it stands for mashed potatoes, does that make it so? I think NOT.

The Confederate flag, is, in fact, a symbol of freedom and those who fought to save their homes and to preserve their freedom.

Answer 8

I believe it should be banned as a reminder who won the conflict. Only a Republican would say otherwise.

Answer 9

But wouldn't that be a violation of freedom of speech and expression? I am not trying to start trouble i was just curious.

Answer 10

I don't have a problem with personal use, but I do object to the government showing it.