Is the Confederate Flag...racist?  

Hello. If my understanding and reading of history is correct, a big part of southern culture DID revolve around slavery, which was one of the main things they ceded to hold onto...the slavery. In that respect, I can see how still flying the confederate flag could be construed as rascist and unpatriotic. But I am not in a position to "judge" individuals on this. I do, however, abhor racism.

Karen

I live in Florida and have to agree with the statement that many in the south see the confederate flag as nothing more than a symbol of southern pride. It's very common down here. We have a confederate flag as well as a standard American flag flying at our motorcycle shop.

The Civil War involved more than just slavery, but it was one of the major motivating factors in the secession of southern states. That the CSA has come to represent a battle flag gives it that connection with the war and as a result, with slavery.

Although I am willing to believe that many in the south see it as simply a symbol of the southern culture and way of life, they must also be sensitive to what it may represent to African Americans.

In any case of conscience it is best to err on the side of being considerate of the feelings of the person most likely to be injured by any action. If flying the flag caused emotional injury or harm to a particular group, or was viewed as being hostile to a particular group, I myself would avoid it.

That is not to say that everyone who flies the Confederate flag does so with malice, I am sure they do not. To some it represents their home and their way of life. But I would say that probably most African Americans would be distressed by what it represents to them.

I think this is a tricky symbol that can be used as to either just show southern pride, but it can also be used by racists. In my own life, I have seen it in both cases. I know a guy who is a great person and loves everyone, and he lived all over the south when he was growing up, so he has it on his truck because he is proud of his background and how it is different from the "west coast" mentality.

I have also seen it used in a negative and racist way by people too, I knew a woman when I was little who had a confederate flag hanging from her house and she and no one she knew was from the south, but when my brother came around her house, she would yell at him and call him derogatory names because he is half black.

So it really depends on the circumstance in which the flag is being displayed, but I will add that when I first met the great guy who had a confederate flag on his truck, because of my past experience, I did first think that he must be racist too... I learned differently but I can still totally understand why many people are very wary about the confederate flag. I can understand both sides.

Slavery was a relatively small part of the civil war, it was the catylist, but not the cause. The war was about state's rights, federalism and america's first step towards more dominating central government. Licoln, though touted as the great liberator and champion for racial deceny, was actualy a fairly racist person himself, in fact, he didn't even want slaves remaining in the country. He was also probably one of our more "tyranical" presidents, too loosely use a term.
The Confederate flag became a symbol for the confederate states who banded together and voted for mass cessation and disolving of the contract, considered in breech by the southern states. Lets also not forget, that though the flag is often used by racist groups, it was not it's purpose, much like the shwaztika, original a pagan symbol. Both symbols that have been hijacked.
incidentaly, I'm a "yankee"

Look, I'm not from the south nor have I ever lived in the south. I don't know if the flag is a symbol of racism. I just know how it makes me feel when I see it and it's not a good feeling. It makes me think of slavery and the KKK and lynchings. It make sme think of Jim Crow laws and seperate drinking fountains and sitting in the back of the bus.

I'm not saying the flag itself is racist. I guess it depends on what kind of feelings it brings forth in each individual. It just gives me bad vibes though. And I think that if anyone displayed a Confederate flag around here they had better be prepared to defend themselves or at the very least be prepared for some very dirty looks from folks.

Another thing, I could see being proud of the flag if the south hadn't lost the war. But they did lose and I don't see why they want to hang on to that flag. Plus it takes me back to a sad time in history when brother fought against brother. I'm just glad that we don't see them around here much.

That's as much a point of contention as the Civil War itself (or the War of Northern Aggression as some of my friends in the South put it). The fact is, both sides make very compelling arguments.

The Civil War is said to have been about slavery, yet none of the events that triggered the war have anything to do with slavery at all. The same goes for arguments about whether the CSA Battle Flag is racist or not.

The image on the flag does appear in a lot of the Southern State's flags. However, the flag itself wasn't flown over many Southern State buildings until the early 60s. Some say that the flag was put over the state capital of South Carolina in reaction to the Civil Rights act of 1964.. but the flag went up in 1962.

White Supremist groups have adopted the flag, but just because some racists use it doesn't mean the flag itself is racist.

Like most symbols, the meaning is in the eye of the beholder. The CSA wasn't created because of slavery, most Southerners didn't fight for the CSA to preserve slavery and I haven't seen any reason to think that the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers or any of the bands you mentioned are racist.

If we are going to equate the CSA with racism, then can we assume that naming Fort Lee, Fort Bragg.. or any other US Military installation named after a CSA officer is a sign of racism?

Not to sound racist here but it's getting to the point in this country can the White people have and do anything without blacks, hispanics, indians, muslims, ect getting offended and crying foul??? I'm mean these groups have sometimes a better oppurtunities to get college education, Jobs, ect. Just look at the supreme court nominee for Obama and durring Bush years, whites need not apply!!

No matter a persons interpertation of the rebel flag many of lives were lost over that and I see nothing wrong with it. I live in Southern Pa and see more of those flags on houses and vehicles more then in Maryland and WV.

i live in NC and yes, i do believe its a form of racism

I'm not so sure that the object or image of and in itself is necessarily racist, but perhaps it's been misused to represent the ideal so often (often out of ignorance), that generally people identify the flag with racism. . .

Perhaps it just became the symbol of negativity in the public eye. . . but hey, what do I know?