Is the Confederate Flag a symbol of racism?

There are a lot of Southerns who consider the battle flag as just a Southern symbol (see Dukes of Hazard tv show). Unfortunately, just about all the southern states added the battle flag to their state flags as an overt declaration against integration, so the flag took on a racist connotation. It is also used extensively by organizations that promote racism (KKK for example). I can see a black person interpreting the flag to stand for racism since it was used in that manner in the past.

The flag promotes racism big time.

Why? I am not doubting - just I've not experienced myself. It is more the symbolism of the Civil War - or is it that it has been used that way since by bigoted people like the prior poster states.

The thing is - for this school it was more a symbol of being a rebel - not necessarily a southern civil war or racist idea. Not that I think the school should use it, if it does symbolize racism in any way. I can understand the school doing away with it.

It can be, but it isn't always.

I never watched the Dukes of Hazzard, but the stars and bars were featured in the show we can be reasonably certain it wasn't intended as a racist symbol.

In general, the South as a region has been a target, for many years, of scorn and derision by Northerners...especially those who like to think of themselves as urbane and intellectually elite.

If a Southerner or a group of Southerners wishes to express pride in their region and at the same time tweak the snoots of condescending Northerners, the Condfederate flag is not only the obvious symbol to use, it's virtually the only one.

What else might they use?

1) A cotton blossom?
2) Fried chicken?
3) The Coral snake?

I'm sure there are people who do use the symbol to connote their racist beliefs, and I appreciate why African-Americans might find public usage inappropriate, but I also appreciate the sentiments of the young black woman who you quoted in your post. There are too many people looking for reasons to be offended, as a means of self-affirmation...but that's a topic for another thread.

At the same time, I think those who think of employing the flag as a symbol should think twice and consider how it may reflect upon themselves.

I've often wondered if everyone . . . not just in this country . . . but on the planet . . . wouldn't have been better off if all the original European colonies remained European. That includes NJ which was once a colony of Sweden.

I am joking a bit but not entirely.

I have seen the stars and bars as racist at times.

I also know that due to the influence of the South, that the Baby Boomers were taught that the Civil War was fought over states' rights and not over slavery.

But states' rights is just pushing the issue one step foreward . . . what did the states disagree over? Slavery.

I would disagree with that statement.
I am a southern boy. We have Civil War battlefields all over my state of Virginia and we have the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. Fascinating history.
But I do find it inappropriate for drunken frat boys to wave around Confederate flags at football games. Or our former Governor, George Allen, prominently displaying one next to his desk.
There was a comment above that came very close to something I posted earlier (which I cribbed from somewhere):
Fight like hell for freedom of speech, and then choose to keep your mouth shut.
A week or so ago, someone on the internet thought it was clever to start a movement called Draw Muhammad Day.
I frankly felt embarrassed about that.

What?

Where do you go to school?

Agreed.

The flag was the symbol of a confederation of states which only existed for the purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. No matter what sort of dithering anyone does, yes, it has always been a racist symbol.

Well, all the racists in Texas seem to display it. Nobody else does, though.

It was in the text books. By the time "we," meaning my generation, were grad school, we could talk about it with embarrassment expressed for those who wrote and published those books.

Both my daughter and I have worked in text book publishing, but in different capacities. In order for a book to be printed, it must meet the conditions set by the state boards of education of California and Texas.

Why would you disagree? A long series of compromises revolving around slavery were part of the fabric of this nation since its earliest days. Pushing at those compromises brought about the Secession although it can be said that the election of Lincoln triggered it.

There are everyone's lists of causes which include (here, using About.com) differences in the economies of each region, the growth of Abolitionism, the difference between slave and anti-slave proponents, states rights and the election of Lincoln.

The problem is that the differences among the first four are slight. They are hardly real differences but a difference of view point.

I've heard that as well - at least what I've heard is the Civil War began as fighting over states rights and then slavery later became an additional factor.

Thanks all - just wondering overall the perspective of others especially for those in the south. The school did the right thing and removed the flag as their symbol - wondering what they are using in place - not sure.

What brought this recently to light - was a neighbor right next to the school is displaying the flag on his personal property for all to see - his opinion is being an alum - this is a sense of pride for him.

The school (and it seems most people in the community) want him to take it down, but seeing it is on his personal property (that happens to be right next to the school), they can't see anything they can do about it, but ask him.

Not even the racists in Alabama, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida?

How about the ones in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas?

Boston racists?

In your long history of lame replies, that has to be the all-time winner.

Slow day?

A throwback to what people did before we had Internet trolls!

What's that saying about the pot commenting on the color of the kettle?



Just brilliant in its insight and wit.

If you have a point, I'm not sure what it is.

Do you inspect every post on this site for language usage errors, or do you have some special interest in my posts?

FYI, I'm married and monogamous, so you might want to focus your attentions someplace where they might bear more fruit.