[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbjb

 

Please let's keep in mind that the Swastika has been used as a symbol by other cultures and religions of people that aren't of caucasoid lineage. Let's separate factual history from popular history.... Google is a wonderful thing.

I'm sure if you ask Hindus and Buddhists what the Swastika stands for, the answer most likely will not consist of thoughts regarding the holocaust.

 

the context of the thread implies the nazi swastika

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbjb

 

So is the "Nazi" Swastkia racist?

If I display a swastika on the entry way of my house, on pictures of deities, or somewhere on my car, does that symbolize racism (or me as a racist)?

The symbol alone represents many things. I make this argument that if THIS symbol can be confused for meaning, can the Confederate flag not have dual meaning.

I'm all for one representing what they stand for, or take pride in...just not on publicly funded property and programs.

 

Redneck, for SURE.

Racist, no.

 

To me the stars & bars represent what a swatstika means to a Jew. Get wit it

 

then dont fly the stars and bars above your gun rack on your pick-up.

 

First, I couldn't vote because the poll is too black and white (ironic, huh?) whereas this is a gray issue IMO.

I think that the Confederate flag has a simplified connotation of solely representing slavery when that is not the entire truth. As was stated before, the Civil War was fought not only for or against slavery, but for myriad reasons.

Also, to say because there were slaves in the south that the Confederacy has no claim to a place in history is grossly simplistic and unfair.

Granted, slavery is a horrible black mark across the history of this country, but I challenge you to find ANY country that doesn't have a similar black mark in their own history.

I think this is more an issue of context than of pure racism. I think that the Confederate flag is a legitimate symbol of the history of the start of our country...of not only the negative side of slavery, but also the beginnings of economic growth that has made this country as strong as it is today.

In essence, the Confederate flag is a benign word in and of itself and it is dependent on the person using it to define the context. Unfortunately, in todays society, it is often racists and bigots that flaunt the Confederate flag most brazenly and therefore have perpetuated the stigma.