Oh, and by the way...

I'm a Yank myself (Boston born and bred). So before you jump down my throat, just understand that all I'm saying is that you can't throw a blanket over this and come up with a catchall label.

 

Y'know, I'm a little torn on this one. People in the south who support the Confederate flag always make the claim that its part of their history, they should be proud of it, and it's just a symbol anyway. But then I think: What about the history of the Confederacy is there to be proud of? The only thing that comes anyone's mind when they hear the word "Confederacy" is "Civil War, slavery." So why are these people proud of that history to the point where they want it in their state flag and/or their car. The only interpretation I can come up with is exactly the one the NAACP claims: racism.

So while it does irritate me that people are getting all upset about something as silly as a defunct flag, I understand their point of contention. Personally, I don't see why states/individuals are unwilling to remove them, since they clearly cause division and ill will.

 

Just to clarify, I was simply stating that, as a symbol, I do not believe that the confederate flag can be separated from its racist past (the confederacy and slavery). I think a good analogy would be the Nazi flag. I suppose Germans could choose to fly the Nazi flag today as a symbol of German pride and pride in the "fatherland." But, even if this was their reason for using the flag today, I don't see how we could disregard the flag's past and the racism that is has symbolized.

I was certainly not saying that anyone who chooses to fly the confederate flag is a racist. And, of course, anyone in this great country has the right to fly the flag, and even to be a racist. I think this is a bit off-topic.

 

It is off topic Which is why it's in the off topic forum.

Like other contentious issues, there will never be a consensus, and I could sit here and argue the case either way (just because I like to stir up trouble).

For example, the Nazi flag. Today, the only people that I'm aware of that fly the Nazi flag are groups such as the KKK, etc. The flag represents a group whose main tenent is racial division.
The confederate flag, on the other hand, is flown by Southerners. i.e., people with a connection to a geographical area of the country, and racism isn't inherent to a region (although it certainly is more prevelent there, Southerner does not equal racist). Hence my argument about the flag representing Southern values (the good ones) rather than racism.

But I'm making the argument simply for the sake of arguing... because like I said, you could argue this until the cows come home, and no one would ever agree with anyone else.

 

Because no one likes being told what to do. Nor do I believe being politically correct, despite it's coming into fashion lately, is something everybody agrees with.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bjohnston
Sure, a flag cannot, in and of itself, be racist, and, yes, it does symbolize southern history.

 

Normally, I despise political correctness too. This one goes beyond just being PC though, I think. What is so special about the history of a seceded South that merits being proud of it? What good came from the Confederacy? I'm sure there's something, but I'm not aware of it. So why not take one for the team and have consideration for the probably 50% or more of the population that finds it offensive?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by exceltoexcel

 

I voted "No". I'm Chinese and grew up in a small rural town in the Midwest, so I have a decent idea of what racism is and isn't. Being called names and jumped because of your race - that's racism. People choosing to fly a flag - that's not racism. To be fair, though, I care nothing about history...the present is all that's relevant in my book.

 

Why? Because we live in the USA! People have a right to believe/do what they want within the constraints of the law. No one has to "take one for the team".
So like I said, if Joe South is flying flag XYZ in his yard, and I'm offended.... TOUGH SHIT FOR ME. It's his right.