Is it not illegal to be displaying a confederate flag?
2007-03-22 13:36:35 · 17 answers · asked by agent smith .rep. 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
No people from the South view the flag as part of their heritage and do not associate it with racism. Just because other people chose to associate it with racism that's their problem.
2007-03-22 13:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by jason s 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In my own words I dont think that racism and descrimination are illegal. Because of free speech, this has enabled people to be unique and individual and free. This country was built on bloodshed and the confederate flag is just one example from that era. With a little respect it should not be visible, but on the other hand people need to knoe what hapened. It is all about the history of this place and if we dont want it to hjappen again we need to know what happened.
2007-03-22 20:57:25 · answer #2 · answered by Joseph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The display of a confederate flag is not illegal. Racist discrimination is indeed illegal though. However, it is fairly common to find racist behaviour in most parts of the nation. It is not always deliberate either. Sometimes people are not aware that what they are saying is a racist remark, but it might be insulting to others.
2007-03-22 21:03:24 · answer #3 · answered by vitasha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not illegal to display a confederate flag. Or a nazi flag. Or a U.S. flag.
Its not illegal to be racist, nor is it illegal to rail against those who are racist.
Its called free speech, and if you give up free speech, even small amounts because you dislike what is being said, then you will all of a sudden find yourself silenced as well.
Protect the rights of racists, so that you preserve your own rights.
2007-03-22 20:57:08 · answer #4 · answered by Erin Gamer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no.
Racism is a belief. And beliefs cannot be regulated.
Racial discrimination is illegal, and racially motivated crimes can get sentence enhancements for the racial bias component.
But anyone can display any flag they want. Free speech.
Besides, the Confederacy stood for a lot more than just racial prejudice. In fact, racism wasn't even the primary issue in the civil war. The Constitutional Amendments prohibiting racial discrimination didn't come in effect until after the Civil War was over.
2007-03-22 20:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by coragryph 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Racism is not illegal, unless it is the basis for committing a crime (hate crimes), or if you are discriminating against someone based on their race and you are an employer, a landlord, a governmental agency, etc.
John Q Citizen can be as racist as he wants, and he's not violating any laws unless and unil he causes personal or property damage or he is acting on the behalf of a business or governmental entity.
I believe that the Confederate flag is legal, although it is unpopular.
2007-03-22 20:44:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
uhhh... to all of you above? to claim free speech is definately an excuse for racism is so ethically wrong it's disgusting. First of all, you are all using your so-called "government-given" ethics to allow society to shape your individiual morals. It's really lame. and it's sad to see our politicians taking such a powerful and internal hold of your souls. Regardless of the legal implications of allowing a Confederate flag is what it is. Law allows it. Society allows it. and therefore you all allow it. Do you not understand that by accepting this, you are accepting your government instead of using your own free speech to stand up against it and use your own morals to determine what society's ethics should be. Politics vs. morals. You've all chosen politics. It's a shame.
so much for the power of the individual. god bless.
2007-03-22 21:13:30 · answer #7 · answered by TashaSSS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So what do you do in museums, classrooms, libraries? Completely eradicate it as if it never existed? Some see it as a symbol of the horrid slave days, but it is still a part of our nation's history. We can't act like it never happened. Let it serve as a reminder of what the Union bled for, and the wonderful steps we've taken over the last 140+ years. Let it remind us not to step backward, but to keep moving forward.
2007-03-22 20:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by steddy voter 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Racism is only illegal when it brings bodily or property harm against another individual.
2007-03-22 20:43:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Discrimination is illegal, but racism is not. Make it illegal to "think" even something as hate ful as racism and you alienate fringe groups.
That is how terrorist are born.
2007-03-22 20:40:58 · answer #10 · answered by netjr 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋