Should the Confederate Rebel Battle Flag Be Banned?
A flag is far more than a piece of fabric embroidered with clever patterns and eye-pleasing colors. A flag is symbolic of a system of values and beliefs. The recent controversy banning a Dukes of Hazzard tribute from a Cincinnati Pops orchestra event is certainly not without precedent, as the Rebel Flag has been under fire from black groups for decades in the deep south.
What is the origin of the Rebel Flag? The Rebel Flag, or "Southern Cross" was a refinement of two previous designs, the "Bonnie Blue" and the "Stars and Bars" The Bonnie Blue was well loved by the southern populace, but never flew. The Stars and Bars flew from March 1861 to May of 1863. Unfortunately this Rebel flag looked too much like the Union's Stars and Stripes, a dangerous attribute in battle, indeed. Several additional derivatives were created, but the Southern Cross stuck, both during the Civil War, and long afterwords, remaining an enduring symbol of southern white defiance to northern victory to this day..
Even single Rebel Flags have precipitated monumental movements. In 2004, the NAACP boycotted the entire state of South Carolina due to a lone Confederate flag flying on the state capitol grounds at a Confederate war memorial. Similar tussles have ensued wherever and whenever the Rebel Flag rears its controversial head; on campuses, cemeteries and even on vehicles and t-shirts at the micro-personal level. Angry blacks have made it perfectly clear: Thou shalt not fly.
The Rebel Flag means different things to different people. To blacks, it is the same as the Nazi Swastika is to the Jews, a reminder of the Holocaust, as blacks see slavery as their own personal Holocaust. To Southern whites, it is a symbol of their percieved proud heritage and characteristic Southern defiance, not something to be toyed with, or relinquished so easily, at least not without a fight.
So, who's right and who's wrong?
That depends on who you are. If a flag is not symbolic of your cultures belief system, than it is evil, just as the American flag is evil to Islam, or, conversely, the Islamic flag crescent moon and star motif is evil to many Christian Americans as well. After all, there would seem to be no "right or wrong" flag to fly, there is only the question of who has enough political power and societal clout to fly the flag of their choosing, and certainly, no two people can fully agree on what that may be. A flag of choice, it would seem, is strictly a luxury of absolute power, indeed.
Published by Mark Motz
Have written, or am writing for many websites, including www.pcomelet.com, www.docreno.com, www.southernhumorists.com and many others. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentThe striped banner (America FLAG) is what flew over evry slave ship. I see blacks flying everywhere.If I was black I would have NO! respect for a flay that flew over a slave ship. The northern state made more money from selling slaves.
I believe that the Confederate flag should not be allowed to fly. I refuse to call those who bear it racist, but they are ignorant of the symbol that it is.
That flag is a part of our heritage%2C removing or banning it is discrimination against those of southern heritage. I am proud of who I am and where my ancestors came from. Those associating the Rebel flag with hate are ignorant%2C by the way the civil war was over more than one issue%2Ceducate yourself before making comments about what we beleive%21
kkk
You people don't know how to make good arguments.
FUCK THEM!
NIGGERS R UNFORGIVABLE
"Rebel ain't" - Your comment is offensive and should be removed. Not everyone who displays a Confederate Flag is a racist or a bigot, but when people with your attitude do, you make the case of everyone who wants to whitewash away the old flag.
it should never be banned i support it all the way and if it is banned i'll still fly it anyway, and if they put me in prison or jail for it i'll keep on doing it..HA
The 3 x 5 "confederate" flag was never a part of the war. The only thing that looked even a little like it was the Battle jack of the Army of Tennessee and it was square mostly except for a small shipment of 4 x 5 flags sent out to to the force trying to get some relief to Vicksburg. The 3x5 flag was the flag of the KKK in the 20's when the Klan was resurrected. It never flew over my ancestors who fought to maintain the rights guaranteed by the constitution in the war of northern agression.