I live in KY and let me tell ya, there are a lot of rebel flags flying high. People put them on their cars, wear bandannas, tee-shirts, get tattoos, even fly them in their yards. When I ask them what it means to them I usually get the response, "its all about heritage! not hatred". But most commonly if I ask these same people how they feel about African Americans their the first to tell racist jokes, and say that they should get back on the boat to Africa! I had a discussion with one teenage guy that was wearing a tee shirt that said, "I have a dream" on the front and then on the back it had a picture of the White House with a Rebel flag flying above it. I asked him if he thought the rebel flag might offend African Americans, and his response was simple, they have the X and I have Mine! I personally think that it could be offensive to African Americans, it is a reminder of how things was and would have remained if the south had won. I especially think that rebel flags that say, "The South will Rise Again" are offensive. Those remarks show that many still approve of slavery and still harbor ill feelings towards African Americans. What do you all think?
Before anyone comments on it, I know that the the Civil War was not directly about Slavery, I've read the books and watched lots of shows about it, but slavery ended up being a big issue with this war so attributing race and slavery with the that flag are expected.
to be overlooked is that, even though the issue of slavery was not the only cause for the war, it was a major factor. To those of you that say that the yankees should go back north, i say "where is the southern hospitality everyone talks about?" I've heard that the flag is a symbol of the south, but the south LOST the war. It doesnt really matter about the other issues, beause to anyone who did not grow up in the south, it is a little shocking to see the flag everywear. While it may not be a racict symbol to you, to another person it may be, and THAT is what should be considered when you don your flags. We do have a national flag that will not offend as many people as the rebel flag, so why not simply wear those on everything? I agree with this post.
first off the confederate flag is not a racist flag. Yes the majority of the people that fly the flag are racists. The confederate flag stands for freedom amd state rights. If any flag is a racist flag it is the american flag it flew over 100 years of slavery and Native Americans were annihilated under that flag. thank you.
/edited by _Meke for TOS violation/
I was born and raised in the South and have lived here my whole life, and reading comments like this from my fellow Southerners fills me with SHAME. The Confederate Flag has a historical significance for not only the South, but for the whole nation. But don't let the bigots fool you. Prior to the Civil Rights movement, there weren't a lot of people waving the Confederate Flag around. The revival of the display of this flag was very much an action based on a belief in the validity of racial segregation.
A good example of this was the adoption of the Confederate Flag into the Georgia State Flag. Prior to 1956, the Georgia State Flag was NOT the Confederate Flag. You can see this flag here.
The change in the flag to include the Confederate emblem in 1956 was NO COINCIDENCE. The Civil Rights Movement had JUST taken off, and the new flag was adopted openly as an act of defiance against the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.
While there is not written record of the debate in the Georgia Senate over Senate Bill 98 (the bill that changed the flag to include the old Confederate "stars and bars"), we DO know that segregation was the central issue being addressed by the State at that time. At the beginning of the legislative session, then Governor Marvin Griffin said the following in his 1956 "Sate of the State Address"..
When we study the legislative history of the Georgia House and Senate during this session, it isn't difficult to imagine that the pro-segregation position that was publicly advocated throughout our State government was also in play for this decision.
The Georgia's Senate Research Office has produced an in-depth study of this period, which you can read here.
It is unfortunate that a symbol with such historical significance has been POISONED by the bigots who preempted it for their use in support of segregation, but the reality is that any close examination of the pro-Confederate Flag folks will quickly uncover the disgusting specter of racism that even today pervades SO MUCH of the South.
I suppose that it is POSSIBLE that there are people out there who really do want to see the Confederate emblem as part of the Georgia and who are not racist, but to be honest, I'VE never met one, and I've lived here my whole life. I cannot speak from personal experience with similar folks from other states (like Tennessee), but I have seen little evidence that would suggest that the mind-set for them is any different that it is in my own state.
TTFN,
Blackout
-------------------------
Yes, I've changed my username from "percivale" to "Blackout." Go here if you want to know why.
I live in KY and let me tell ya, there are a lot of rebel flags flying high. People put them on their cars, wear bandannas, tee-shirts, get tattoos, even fly them in their yards. When I ask them what it means to them I usually get the response, "its all about heritage! not hatred". But most commonly if I ask these same people how they feel about African Americans their the first to tell racist jokes, and say that they should get back on the boat to Africa! I had a discussion with one teenage guy that was wearing a tee shirt that said, "I have a dream" on the front and then on the back it had a picture of the White House with a Rebel flag flying above it. I asked him if he thought the rebel flag might offend African Americans, and his response was simple, they have the X and I have Mine! I personally think that it could be offensive to African Americans, it is a reminder of how things was and would have remained if the south had won. I especially think that rebel flags that say, "The South will Rise Again" are offensive. Those remarks show that many still approve of slavery and still harbor ill feelings towards African Americans. What do you all think?
Before anyone comments on it, I know that the the Civil War was not directly about Slavery, I've read the books and watched lots of shows about it, but slavery ended up being a big issue with this war so attributing race and slavery with the that flag are expected.
The Confederate Flag is a symbol of what was. Now I think this is where the issue becomes a problem. I am a white american that has many relatives who live in North Carolina and South Carolina. I myself grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. People don't use the confederate flag as a symbol of heritage there. They use it to show they they are openly racist. "The South will rise again" is a pro slavery statement anyway you look at it. People that openly fly and wear the confederate flag are the first people to tell racist jokes or use the word "NIGER" refering to a African Amercian. You get shot or messed with for flying or openly wearing the confederate flag of the south in Fort Lauderdale and in Miami. It's not funny anymore. I have black friends that reference the confederate flag as something like the Swastica and hatred for the Jews. You are Ignorant if you belief this false in America. America was founded on equality of all human beings and certain rights endowed by our creator.
If you southern people don't openly support the idea of slavery once again in the future then stop putting things like "If i'd of known this, I would have picked my own damn cotton" and "The south WILL rise again" on bumper stickers with the confederate flage as a background to the words.
At my apartment complex there are some guys that think its heritage not hate to put a 14 foot by 8 foot Confederate flag in there living room for all to see when they walk by. If that doesnt make a statement I dont know what does. My friend Bryant Padina that was recently over studying for a test saw it and asked me, "Doesn't that scare you?" I thought about it, then said no, and thought to myself "I'm White..." Even him being spanish and not black it bothered him. I guess because the flag has so much corralation with White power, and Swastica flags. And because the people you run into openly admit to thinking they are better than the black race and have a pocket full of "Niger" jokes to tell you. Heritage not hate, it is more like a Heritage of hate. And one last thing, the slaves that fought in the civil war that carried the confederate flag did not carry it because they loved their masters and because they gave them food and shelter. THEY DID IT BECAUSE THEY WERE SLAVES. They were forced to, or it was all they new. If you asked a black man after the cival war had ended and after they were given their freedom and were not longer bounded by their slavery if they wanted to volunteer to fight for SLAVERY and they prolongation of the slave trade, I don't know maybe it is just me but I highly doubt you would find anyone with thier hands raised.
Ok first off your going way too far with this subject. ** The only only only reason the confederate flag is a racist flag is when the U.S navy adopted the confederate battle feild flag the kkk adopted it. If any flag in this world were to be a symbole of hatred it would be the United States flag. The U.S flag flew over 100 years of slavery and Native Americans were annihilated under that flag. The confederate flag stands for freedom and state rights. I fly the flag on my property in 12 different spots 4 times on my truck and once on my body. You need to open your eyes alttle bit farther.
**edited by sawaboof for TOS Violation 08.16.2008
i am from tennessee..i had family in the civil war..the meaning of the rebel flag isn't racism, blacks just say it is..its so much more then that..its heritage and much more...NOT racism..The rebel flag means so much to southerners..its heritage for god sake...and as far as the flag that says the south will rise again, the south has already risen and will keep rising..you talk about racism and discrimination try living in michigan..there is more racism and discrimination towards southerners then there is with racism towards blacks..i support the rebel flag..
I am a Texan and I see plenty of Rebel flags.It is true that many people fly the flag in a racial term but to me it is a heritage. So yes, it is part racial but don't forget that some of us do support our heritage.I support all my heritage including supporting my Italian side and my English side. Don't be so quick to judge someone with a Rebel Flag.
What part of the Confederate Heritage are you supporting? I can't for the life of me think of any positive meaning (other than to remind us of our mistakes) held in the rebel flag?
Okay, a little overdue, but I'll make my point. I am the one who wrote the response, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN FLORIDA DON'T COUNT! Well, to answer your question about the Confederate Flag, I love it, fly it, and promote it's prominant display everywhere I go. I have absolutley no problem whatsoever in the Flag of my state's heritage! That Flag represents to me that state's rights are supposed to supercede federal rights!It also means Southern heritage to me. I am proud to be a Dixien, a Southerner! About going to Orlando and not seeing the Confederate Flag. Just because you didn't see it don't mean it wasn't there. You most likely overlooked it on the front of trucks, cars, and even flying on some flagpoles. The SCV has a huge one flying on a tall flagpole on the Florida Turnpike down in Central Florida! It's easy to overlook things in a big city when you're trying to take in all the attractions. I have seen commercials advertising Orlando with Southern Hospitality! I didn't mean to be so abbrassive in my last post, but I get sick and tired of people failing to recognize Florida's role in the Confederacy, or modern day Dixie. Florida is and always will be part of Dixie no matter how many Yankees and other foreigners invade us! Going to Miami, a Southern city, with almost no Southern culture anymore, and basing the whole state of Florida solely on it is utterly rediculous. Atlanta, GA is an equal comparison but nobody would ever suggest Georgia isn't Southern! They might say that about Atlanta, but not the whole state. Well, apply that to Florida. Miami may not be Southern but most of Florida is! That's not my opinion. It's a cold hard fact! Out of Florida's 67 counties, I've been to most of them. I've been from Pensacola to Jacksonville to Tampa-St. Pete to Port Charlotte to Key West to Miami to West Palm Beach to Arcadia to Orlando to Ocala, Gainsville, Lake City. I've been to Myaka City, Sarasota and her keys, Cedar Key, St. Cloud (lived there), graduated high school in Kissimmee, Leesburg, Tallahassee, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, Panama City (live there), Destin, etc., etc., etc. I've literally been all over this state and visited numerous small country Florida towns on the coast and the interior. Without exception, the greatest majority of them were Southern to one degree or another complete with Confederate sybolism! Without being rude, if a Yankee or even another Southerner visits a city or two in Florida like Miami or Orlando and fails to hear a Southern drawl and deduces that Florida ain't Southern is really just whistlin Dixie because they ain't got a dadburn clue and should shut up and keep their ignorance to themselves!
In reponse to JuliesBlueSkyFalling absurd and foolish assertion that Florida don't count is totally rediculous and without merit! I am a Floridian and I speak for millions of other true Floridians, that is Southerners, not those hoardes of Yankees and other foreigners that migrate to Florida. Florida was the 3rd state to secede in 1861 when the Confederate States were formed. Florida's state flag is a Confederate flag in it's intent and design. The Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy are running strong in Florida. The same Southern sentiment that other Dixie states pride themselves in also pervails in Florida. Y'all Yankees (Westerners included) are so ignorant of facts that y'all don't even need to speak on matters of a Southern nature, since you obviously have no clue whatsoever what you're talking about. Of course, you go to Miami, a Southern city with almost no Southern culture, but Florida is a lot bigger than Miami darlin! The same could be said about Atlanta, Ga, because Southern culture is also hard to find there as well, but you don't hear idiots going around sayng "Georgia don't count!" or "Georgia ain't Southern!" Well, the same holds true for Florida. Out of Florida's 67 counties, 60 of them are largely rural and largely Southern, North, Central, and South Florida alike, and are complete with Southern Accents as well! The other 7 counties are where the greatest majority of the Northerners and other foreigners move to and dilute the Southern culture and accents to sometimes nonexistant status! Here is some education for y'all about Florida's Southern culture! Winn DIXIE food stores originated in Florida! DIXIE Highway runs through Florida! Florida is the only Dixie state to have a DIXIE County! The original LONGEST YARD, SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT 2 and 3, CHATTAHOOCHEE, JUST CAUSE, ROSEWOOD, and THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE are all movies that take place in Florida and all have more or less strong Southern overtones and accents! Country music artists, which mostly originate in the South have provided some from Florida such as SLIM WHITMAN, MEL TILLIS, JOHN ANDERSON, BILLY DEAN, CLINT DANIELS, AND AARON TIPPIN, though he was raised in SC! NASCAR an openly Southern organization started in Florida! The Civil Rights movement that people associate with Alabama and Mississippi were also as turbulent and violent in Florida, but Mickey Mouse has overshadowed those days! Florida is part of the Bible Belt, a pretty much Southern exclusive! Florida was once part of the Solid South political party of the Dixiecrats! Today it's more or less solid Republican! I've been all over Florida and more or less without exception I always see plenty of Confederate symbols such as flags, tags, bumper stickers, shirts, caps, etc.! I could keep on going, but I think you get the picture! Learn something Julie, and the rest of y'all before you open your uneducated mouth!!! Billy
Okay, you/ve made your point, Florida counts. With all your griping about Florida you forgot to mention how you feel about confederate flags, that was the purpose of the blog remember?
The rebel flag represents the heritage of the South. It has nothing to do with offending African Americans. First of all Blacks fought in the South and flew the flag along the side of whites. So there should be no point in people looking at the flag as being racist. What does tick me off is people automatically label the flag as racist. That is a bunch of crap! I am from the South, born and raised. In fact have a lot of family who fought in the South during the Civil War. The only problem with people now in the South who do not like the flag is because they're from the North or as I like to call City Slickers. Most people don't even know the history of the flag because the world wants everybody politically correct. I know one thing for a fact a lot of people from the North are irrognant and rude. Southern people have manners and respect one another.
I think the problem with most people is their ignorance causes them to get mixed feelings toward the flag. If you don't like the flag then don't look or go some where else. Let me say this...I cannot stand blacks driving around in cars looking like a bunch of skittles with rims that make the car look like a hotwheels car. But do I go and make a big deal out of it..Of course not.
SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE REBEL FLAG THEN GO BACK NORTH AND LEAVE THE SOUTH TO TRUE SOUTHERNERS
One other comment I would like to add is FLorida is full of true Southerners.. The only problem Florida has is all of the immagrants(who can't speak a word of English) comming in... Miami is a prime example..
I say that Florida's Miami has become a little havannah and purto ricianville...What needs to happen is the South needs to take it back over and make the illegals go back to where they came from...
If the flag offends you, then learn your history
I agree if you are offended by our Southern flag then learn your history. There were many black Americans in the Civil War that fought for the South. We love our heritage and it is better than being like the Northerners that come here and all they can do in criticize us. We are not ignorant people and we love our state. I live in Mississippi and I fly my rebel flag with pride. IT IS OUR RIGHT! We can honor whatever flag we wish and African Americans can wear MALCOLM X then we can be proud of our flag. I think anyone that dogs the South better read their history and ask the older African Americans and if you do not like the South do not come here. If you cannot respect us then stay where you are. SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE REBEL FLAG THEN GO BACK NORTH AND LEAVE THE SOUTH TO TRUE SOUTHERNERS I agree with the above response and take care of your business and worry about the real problems of the world instead of our flag. We are proud Southerners and that is the way it will always be until the world ends. You cannot take our heritage away from us so do not try. You will lose every time. We are very good, honest, and respectable people not to mention we help each other and value our family and culture and heritage.
The South Has Already Risen and you will never destroy us!
Ask the older African Americans??? What are you on about? I am from the South and I have absolutely no respect for the Rebel Flag. FUCK the Rebel flag. I would wipe my ass with that flag. That flag is as much a part of Southern Heritage as a Swastika is a part of German Heritage.
The South Has Already Risen and you will never destroy us!
Please get a life.
Prey tell is that heritage that the flag suposidly represents?
"If the flag offends you, then learn your history"
--As a native born and life long Texan, I know my history quite well! And while I can cast a blind eye to preservationists and capital buildings for reiterating history with flying the flag, the main point behind the civil war was slavery. It's sweet how our history books try to disguise the purpose as a states' rights issue -- but what right did the southern states want that the northerners wanted to deny??? SLAVERY! We went to war over owning persons! We went to war to protect our monetary income despite the cost of freedom for an entire race of people. Don't try to sugar coat our reality.
Thus, as a reminder of the truth and horror that once occured in the Confederacy, by all means fly the flag (lower on the staff than the US flag!). We should NEVER forget that we southerners caused so much bloodshed and tyrrany in order to continue enslaving the lower class.
But as for an individual flying the flag proudly as some sort of celebration of their heritage...what heritage are you trying to cling to? The lack of humanity we once showed to an entire race of people?!?!
I would've enjoyed the post more if you came here to educate, rather than chew me out. We're supposed to be educating each other on this site.
To elaborate, my only trip to Florida was Disney World. I was all grown up. I joined my boyfriend for the weekend there, during his company's annual conference. I couldn't stop laughing when I saw that the HUGE swans on the roof of the Swan Hotel; it didn't suit the serious, geeky, high tech bosses at my boyfriend's company. We did enjoy Epcot Center, especially the international beer festival. We loved that little boat that takes you back and forth to all the Disney Kingdoms. We loved Spoodles.
We skipped some company dinner one night and went to Orlando, to see what it's like. No confederate symbols. Very touristy. Probably Republican, though. Mostly, my little trip reminded me of Pennsylvania, where I grew up: no confederate symbols, Republican, and very green. Florida's grass reminds me of the bright green grass in Pennsylvania, and I felt I was on the East Coast (Minnesota is more of a true, dark green; Washington is evergreen; Southern California is brown.)
The Sky is Falling, Recreate it for a Better Day
Living in Texas there is plenty of the same mentality. As far as the rebel flag goes -- I have no issue with it being flown at capitol buildings. Texas has six flags flying at our state capitol representing all flags that have flown over Texas in the past. In this context, the confederate flag is about heritage. But even here, the American flag should fly HIGHER than the others!
In the context of a rebel flag with the slogan "The South Will Rise Again" -- what else could this possibly mean besides the return of slavery? I cannot think of any other issue that brought about the civil war. You can hide behind the guise of state rights, but when you peer inside as to what state rights the confederacy was protecting all you see is slavery! I disagree strongly with a singular person waving only the confederate flag -- that IS blatently racist.