I've written about the Confederate Battle Flag before examining its dual meaning to many people. For some there is the vision of hate, and for others it is the symbol of pride. The video above is a survey of public opinion. The "Appalachian Online," which is the newspaper of Appalachian State University is responsible the production of this video. I think it adds some interesting perspectives to reflect on. What are your thoughts?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Is the Confederate Flag a Hate Symbol?
I've written about the Confederate Battle Flag before examining its dual meaning to many people. For some there is the vision of hate, and for others it is the symbol of pride. The video above is a survey of public opinion. The "Appalachian Online," which is the newspaper of Appalachian State University is responsible the production of this video. I think it adds some interesting perspectives to reflect on. What are your thoughts?
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The short answer to your title, is "Yes, sometimes."
ReplyDeleteHere are two quotes that I thought of after reading your post, and the previous post on this subject.
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” William Faulkner
“The past is dead; let it bury its dead …let me beseech you to lay aside all rancour, all bitter sectional feeling, and to take your places in the ranks of those who will bring about a consummation devoutly to be wished—a reunited country.” –Jefferson Davis 1889
I find symbols interesting. I can relate to the pride one feels and the heritage that comes with a flag because I get these feelings when I look at the Puerto Rican flag. Just as it would be ignorant and absurd to look at me, and say: “Seriously, it’s not a country on its own. You should just accept it and move on” -it would be equally as ridiculous for me to say that to someone who sees the Confederate Flag as a symbol of their distinct culture and heritage.
The difference, as I’m sure we can all agree, comes with a look at the past. The Confederate Flag though it may stand for more than just an association with violent racism that is in fact the usual first reaction to it from folks. I think Southern history and culture should be celebrated, protected, and enjoyed. It is important and it is distinct. I do not think, however, that the Confederate Flag should be the most recognizable or used symbol to show pride because of the horrible connotations with hate, racism, and slavery. It seems to only perpetuate the divides rather than act as an agent of healing and promoter of a racial conversation which is decades overdue.
On the other hand, I think there’s too much politically correctness when it comes to talking about race. It’s not an accident that those most of opposed to Mr. Obama, for example, are found in states that used to make up the Confederacy. I know some of those people may disagree with his policies, but some of those people disagree with many more unspoken things about his person.
I am not sure why this becomes such a sticking point because we all seem to get nowhere. Those arguing loudest to use it (the flag) or not to use it seem to come from a place of hate rather than a place of history and remembrance and until race can be talked about openly and honestly it will probably continue this way.
I, for one, love the South as I love my at times annoying sibling. I want to both punch it in the face and protect it from angry assholes depending on the situation.
Isabel
"I do not think, however, that the Confederate Flag should be the most recognizable or used symbol to show pride because of the horrible connotations with hate, racism, and slavery. It seems to only perpetuate the divides rather than act as an agent of healing and promoter of a racial conversation which is decades overdue."
DeleteWhat a great statement. I agree. Personally, as someone that was 'born and bred' in the South I find more things than a flag to identify my Southern heritage with. Mostly cornbread. Slavery or not its delicious. Kidding aside, I think the flag does perpetuate the divide. Look what is happening now every time the flag issue comes up; protests and counter protests which only serve to bring that division out into the open. You should see some of the Facebook groups that are dedicated to these issues. It is actually a bit scary/stupid/pathetically humorous. They slander anyone that picks up and reads a book pursuing a life of research as politically correct academic elite, they spread false history, and for some reason they think that they are winning. It's hard to grasp why this is done for a flag. Aside from their worn out argument that it is what is getting attacked.
I do however think you are absolutely correct about the political correctness. The obvious example of that is the recent cross curriculum math problems in Georgia public schools. It was an absolutely stupid way to phrase the questions, but the intent is perfectly fine. HOWEVER, what should have been a simple situation of the Principle addressing his employee and correcting the situation turned into the NAACP (because it involved race) and the teacher ultimately resigning. The teacher happened to be Hispanic I believe which explains the very straightforward language used in those questions. I digress. Ultimately, I agree. The race card does get played a lot. However, with websites and minds evident in the U.S. such as the ones at www.occidentaldissent.com, it's not hard to see why.
The only thing I would argue with in your comment is this line: "I am not sure why this becomes such a sticking point because we all seem to get nowhere. Those arguing loudest to use it (the flag) or not to use it seem to come from a place of hate rather than a place of history and remembrance and until race can be talked about openly and honestly it will probably continue this way."
I do not think these people come from a place of hate in a lot of these questions. Ignorance yes, hate...not completely. I think the situation is more complex that that. Yes it will involve some heritage advocates like you rightly pointed out waving their flags and protesting museums all for the sake of their version of Southern (Confederate) Heritage. But at the same time the hate issue if evident; the very reason the flag appeared on the Georgia state flag in the 1950's was a response to Brown v. Board with the Governor at the time stating, "The rest of the nation is looking to Georgia for the lead in segregation." - Marvin Griffin
Usually I would disagree with your entire post, but I think your approach to this is pretty spot on.
I am a reasonable human being, Rob - contrary to the outcomes of our at times agonizing conversations. In any case, I'm glad you appreciate my point. You disagree with my expression of exasperation about this whole thing, and I just wanted to clarify. I’m referring to the spectacle that is made about this issue. I find it frustrating when this and other contentious subjects make it to the national conversation because it’s never people like you or me talking about them. You and I have no intention of either worshipping the flag or burning it, but the people that do get on nationally scrutinized tv shows/radio shows/blogs generally have strong feelings not based on fact or history, but rather emotional arguments that are based on ignorance, as you pointed out, and hate –or with the intention of “energizing” someone somewhere for political gain. I agree that this is a much more complex issue than what gets painted in media and public forums. So, my point is that we should try to take these conversations back from those who make a mockery of both the flag and the South on both sides – the classist arguments and the racist arguments – because it is worth talking about in a civil manner rather than a political shouting match that gets us nowhere.
ReplyDelete"I find it frustrating when this and other contentious subjects make it to the national conversation because it’s never people like you or me talking about them. You and I have no intention of either worshipping the flag or burning it, but the people that do get on nationally scrutinized tv shows/radio shows/blogs generally have strong feelings not based on fact or history, but rather emotional arguments that are based on ignorance, as you pointed out, and hate –or with the intention of “energizing” someone somewhere for political gain."
DeleteI can agree with you there. I would also invite you to take a look at these blogs:
www.cwmemory.com
www.cwcrossroads.wordpress.com
www.deadconfederates.wordpress.com
These historians have been going quite in depth about the recent opening of a new branch of the Museum of the Confederacy that will be branching to the Appomattox Battlefield. The museum does not have a Confederate flag flying outside, nor does it intend to. This is putting fringe "heritage" groups in some sort of madness as they are protesting and probably going to "flag" (their version of protest) the museum. The media is giving them a free mouthpiece. Instead of focusing on the Museums unmatched collection of actual flags that will be displayed inside, or the Frock Coat of General Patrick Cleburne being on exhibit for the first time; these people choose to focus in the museum's refusal to fly a synthetic made in China flag outside.
Also, I couldn't agree more with your closing statements. A civil manner would be nice. Instead, I am usually confronted with people telling me that no symbol is racist or hateful, it is merely providing a prideful aspect and that the people behind are the racists. This of course is an attempt of justification for their "southern heritage." Personally I could care less, I am more interested in the context of the thing.