I think it's difficult for most people to seperate facets in highly emotionally charged situations and symbols. Instead of seeing the confederate flag as a symbol of pride for a certain part of the country and the associated history, people do see it as a declaration of white power and nostalgia for racism.
I live and work in Washington, DC, which is an interesting area because you can drive 2 hours south and run smack into some of those issues.
Think about how people view the Muslim faith currently. It's impossible for some people to seperate Muslims from terrorists, which baffles me. But so many can't see how the extremist views and actions of the terrorists have about as much to do with the real tenets of the Muslim faith as the actions of those who bomb abortion clinics have to do with Christianity.
It's hard for people to see nuances; it's easier to compartmentalize unfortunately.
And what the flag actually represents versus the connotations people assign to it are two different things. The confederate flag will never be acceptable in a black neighborhood for what it represents to that group of people just the same as it is welcomed in certain other neighborhoods because of it's traditional and historical connotations, mostly. And when the two shall mix, Ka-boom.
Like so many things the image, the symbol has become synonymous with issues and ideals of the south during and before the war - the negative ones. And while Slavery might not have been the only issue, it is not like it didn't play a part. While it might be unjust historical views tend to take on a life of their own sometimes, and only negatives will be remembered.
Just like the "Swastika" didn't originate with the Nazis and actually has good connotations in different contexts (mainly ancient ones) however it now bears the weight of the bad actions of a group of people.
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From even the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent.
Good post. You know I was thinking of this earlier this year. During memorial day. I was cleaning up the family cemetary. Two of my people there fought fo the confederacy. Kentucky infantry. Buried right beside a family member who fought for America during the war of 1812(Navy). I respect the confederate flag and the people who fought under it. Freedom as my ancestors saw it.
Slavery played a much smaller part in the war than most people realize. It was by far more a economic and geographical tug of war. That is a good point about the swastika as well. It was originally a sign of good luck.
Truish, but in national consciousness aspects that deal with emotional issues, injustice/justice, equality, freedom and all that always receive more attention. That slavery could be associated with it sticks in peoples minds, geography and economy just don't get peoples hearts racing (expect for one of my friends studying accounting.)
Thus that. A flag is a bit of cloth. It means nothing without intent and people. It is the people who give it meaning. But for some people they see the flag being a stronghold of ideals, both good and bad, more then just a symbol - hence the whole "Flag Burners should be shot" arguments.
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From even the greatest of horrors irony is seldom absent.
I once went to a country music festival in Richmond, VA. I drank an unhealthy amount of bourbon and took my top off and then used the towel my friend threw at me as a cape. The towel, incidentally, was of the confederate flag.
The right to travel the Mississippi and other waterways freely and without tax. The right to trade with whatever country they saw fit(i.e sell agricultural goods) ect. Yes I still respect freedom. Its one of the basic foundations of our country.
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Sep 13th, 2006 05:26 AM
