Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducimus
Having been stationed in Mississippi for a bit in my younger years, I can honestly understand both sides of the issue.
On one side, you have "Heritage not hate!"
On the other side, it's viewed as a white supremacist flag.
Which view you take, i think depends a lot on where you were you were raised or live, and the context in which the flag is seen while being used. Unfortunately the flag is used in a very negative context much of the time and because of that it's going to remain as seen as a negative thing by the majority of people.
Edit:
To be honest, I am a bit put off when I see it, because I don't normally see it at all. A year or so ago, my wife and I saw the "stars and bars" on the tail gate of a pickup we happened to get behind while going down a mountain. Dudes riding in the truck bed were wearing overalls and chewing tobacco (as an ex user i know it when i see it). They look like some deep south transplants. Both my wife and I were looking at each other going "Seriously?!". It bothered her seeing that in Utah.
On the other hand it doesn't bother me in the least if i saw the flag over relevant historical sites from the Civil war time period.
Context is key.
|
I understand both sides as well. I certainly agree with the black man that spoke in the video in the link. Heritage or hate? In our town are numerous rednecks with the flag in their yard and bumper stickers 'the south will rise again"
However, I love history. I don't even get into the heritage and pride thing, what my ancestors did is simply history to me, something I want to know and understand. I love the flavor of history, it's symbols, customs, etc. I love studying black history as well. Obvious, the greater part of history is controlled and funded by the govt. When it comes to CSA historical sites, why hide the history because some of it offends.
What if groups of indians started mass complaining about the US flag, all the statues of presidents and generals that partook in the genocide of their tribes? The hypocrisy of freeing one people of color, only to commit genocide and enslave another. Would we remove all that history as well?
It is about context. To me, it's not about southern pride or heritage, it's history. It is strange to me to go to a big CSA historical event sponsored by the govt. or held on public land and not see this part of history. The last Stonewall celebration parade, no Confederate flags allowed. I honestly saw few blacks, but seemed they were more there to report any person that unravelled a CSA flag.