What does the confederate flag mean to you? (2 Viewers)

[gary mexico]

Racist uneducates.

Thats the stereotype I always had as well but I tell ya what. In 20 plus years in the military the guys from the south were usually my best and hardest workers. While the hip west coasters were lucky to make it 4 years in before getting kicked out for ghettoness unbecoming. They were dumber than a box of rocks AND lazy. They were blouses......

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

It's a symbol of racism through and through. I think less of people who fly it/adorn anything with it.

 

[nxmehta]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.

I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

 

[Otis]

I've drawn many swastikas in milk

WTF

 

[Guest]

I've drawn many swastikas in milk

WTF

Not that weird. I crucified Jesus in some orange juice this morning. Wrote 666 in some ketchup. I think just about everyone writes REDRUM in their coffee, right?

 

[Sheriff66]

I was driving to a hockey tournament in Cincinnati last weekend, saw a barn in Ohio with the whole roof painted with a rebel flag, thought to myself what a bunch of hicks.

 

[H.K.]

I started this thread four years ago with an out-loud thought about the confederate flag being prominently being displayed down the street from my house. While living in New Jersey.Now here I am, living in South Carolina. Surrounded by confederate flags. Irony? Karma?

Wonder what would have happened if he was flying the hammer and sickle?

 

[tonydead]

This.

 

[Sheriff66]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

Hitler first saw the Swastika in a catholic church as a youth, that is where he got it from, not Hinduism.

 

[Wrigley]

I always think of Leonard Skinner

 

[H.K.]

This.

Nice puddle.

 

[mr. furley]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.

I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

Hitler first saw the Swastika in a catholic church as a youth, that is where he got it from, not Hinduism.

regardless where he reportedly saw it

 

[K8!]

This.

Nice puddle.

I wondered as to its origins myself.

 

[perry147]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

I have always said we need a "burn the confederate flag day".

 

[the moops]

Forgive me if I haven't read this entire thread, but I am sure there are righties on here who at least acknowledge that while the flag may not be racist per se, it is in bad taste to display it so proudly because of what others think of it? You know, just as they have been saying about the ground zero mosque - how they really dont have a problem with it, but it is in bad taste and the builders of it should show some class.

 

[badmojo1006]

To me, it is a reminder of American History that I would like to forget

 

[Sheriff66]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.

I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

Hitler first saw the Swastika in a catholic church as a youth, that is where he got it from, not Hinduism.

regardless where he reportedly saw it

Just sayin'

 

[Hastur]

I started this thread four years ago with an out-loud thought about the confederate flag being prominently being displayed down the street from my house. While living in New Jersey.Now here I am, living in South Carolina. Surrounded by confederate flags. Irony? Karma?

Wonder what would have happened if he was flying the hammer and sickle?

Total pandemonium.

 

[GloryDaze]

mullets and gun racks

 

[nxmehta]

I've drawn many swastikas in milk

WTF

It's just as weird to us when people take bites out of Christ during mass. Yum!

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I've drawn many swastikas in milk

WTF

It's just as weird to us when people take bites out of Christ during mass. Yum!

He is just being a good host.

 

[mr. furley]

For those of you comparing the confederate flag to the swastika, learn some history please. The swastika is an ancient, core symbol of both Buddhism and Hinduism. I've drawn many swastikas in milk during prayer as a Hindu. So let's be clear- the swastika was not co-opted by the same people who created it. It was co-oped by some Austrian-born German nutjob.

I will gladly recognize that the swastika to 99.9999% of people symbolizes Nazism and genocide, even though they stole this symbol from us. Even though there is no association between the original use and the Nazi's usage. However, do not pretend that the confederate flag has no connection with racism and slavery. The NUMBER ONE REASON for the secession of the south was slavery. I am NOT saying that the flag EQUATES to slavery and racism, but to ignore the obvious connection and to pretend that it only means something about dead ancestors is just flat out denial. If you want to own your symbol, and own its history, then be honest about it.

Hitler first saw the Swastika in a catholic church as a youth, that is where he got it from, not Hinduism.

regardless where he reportedly saw it

Just sayin'

:blink:

 

[gary mexico]

I gotta admit I actually like the confederate flag. I rarely see one but when i do just knowing its tweaking the white hippies it always puts a wry smile on my face....

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I gotta admit I actually like the confederate flag.

I think we already had that figured out.

 

[gary mexico]

I gotta admit I actually like the confederate flag.

I think we already had that figured out.

lol the most "south" i have ever lived was Virginia Beach for 2 years. I have no dog in that fight....

 

[Hilts]

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20141205-texas-battle-over-confederate-flag-license-plate-headed-to-supreme-court.ece

 

[Papa Georgio]

I never saw the confederate flag as a racist symbol personally and it seems like that is more of a modern day use for it than when I was growing up. To me it represented rebels or "outlaw" country type people and even southern pride. I always found it strange that people thought it was a racist thing until I started meeting people that represented it that way.

It's not as strange as finding out that some people see the color blue the same as I see red but to me the Confederate flag symbolism taught me just how unique a meaning people can apply to something.

 

[jon_mx]

I never saw the confederate flag as a racist symbol personally and it seems like that is more of a modern day use for it than when I was growing up. To me it represented rebels or "outlaw" country type people and even southern pride. I always found it strange that people thought it was a racist thing until I started meeting people that represented it that way.

It's not as strange as finding out that some people see the color blue the same as I see red but to me the Confederate flag symbolism taught me just how unique a meaning people can apply to something.

That is probably how most southerners see it, but many like to project their views onto others and believe they know everyone thinks. Like most things, people view things from their own biases and values and lack understanding of others.

 

[Fennis]

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/state/headlines/20141205-texas-battle-over-confederate-flag-license-plate-headed-to-supreme-court.ece

If I had to draw a picture of the Texan who would fight the State of Texas to compel them to offer confederate flag license plates, I would have drawn that exact dude.

 

[timschochet]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Friggin' hicks.

 

[jon_mx]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

 

[timschochet]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

 

[njherdfan]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Only white people though!

 

[Papa Georgio]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

Innocent question, should they be asked to not display it if for them they mean no disrespect and it's just a matter of their history?

 

[oddball]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

Innocent question, should they be asked to not display it if for them they mean no disrespect and it's just a matter of their history?

What about Germans wanting to display the Swastika?

 

[Henry Ford]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

They know other people perceive it as offensive, they just believe that intention is more important than reception. Which is, frankly, a major problem with offensive speech in general.

 

[timschochet]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

Innocent question, should they be asked to not display it if for them they mean no disrespect and it's just a matter of their history?

Yes.

 

[moleculo]

last week, I was driving some backroads between Atlanta and Asheville. We came thru some small town in the Georgia mountains, and the there was a giant reb flag flying right in the middle of town. At that moment, I thought the flag flying was great.

Before seeing the flag, I thought the town was quaint, nice, the kind of place I wouldn't mind having a cabin - a nice little weekend retreat. The confederate flag told me that I would never really fit in there. I have no patience for ignorance, regional southern pride, or latent racism. That flag told me that town was a backwards hickville, and I need not waste my time or money there.

So yeah...I appreciate the Confederate flag, it gives me a clear indication of a place I don't really need to be.

**white male from South Carolina, but I claim no Southern Heritage.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

It means

- Lynerd Skynerd

- people who "hey man" a lot with a hard twang

- GWAR tickets

- guys with gas station shirts and dirty fingernails

- Waffle Houses

- trailer homes

- camo 4-wheelers

- Marlboros

- Extreme Mullets

- Dangling cigerettes

- Plymouth Charger "Superbees"

- Cars that still have 8-tracks

- Junk all over yards

- Drive-throughs used as weekly grocery shopping

- Women with curlers at the Piggly Wiggly

- Biker trash

 

[jonessed]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

Innocent question, should they be asked to not display it if for them they mean no disrespect and it's just a matter of their history?

Anybody can ask them. That doesn't mean they have to oblige.

 

[timschochet]

See I loved Lynyrd Skynyrd. And I love Tom Petty, and he used them for his "Rebels" song and tour about 30 years ago. Also it's important to remember that what we think of as the Confederate flag was actually the flag of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia (the main Confederate army in the east.) The actual flag of the Confederacy, known as the "Stars and Bars" is a very different design. The Army of Northern Virginia was heroic, and celebrating this particular flag, it can be argued, doesn't so much celebrate slavery as it does the battles that Lee's Army fought.

That being said, we have now reached a point in our history in which anyone who displays this flag HAS to be aware of how offensive it is to African-Americans. Even 30 years ago that was a question in debate; it's not anymore. Displaying the flag on cars and other public places, or on clothing, is being deliberately rude. It shouldn't be illegal IMO. But it also shouldn't be part of a license plate which the state manufactures.

 

[Papa Georgio]

I seriously think some of you are showing some of the very traits and bias you accuse the short sighted southerners of having. I have no real feelings either way for the most part. I frown on both sides of the extreme on this issue.

 

[Mr. Retukes]

It means: straightening the curves and flattening the hills.

 

[moleculo]

at the gym I go to, all of the guys are pretty close. Two guys from the gym are roommates - one black, one white. The black dude is one of the nicest guys I've ever met, but his dad is a black panther and very racist. The white guy is from Long Island, but absolutely loves racist jokes, probably from his stint serving in Iraq. It's all in jest, it's the kind of gym where nothing is out of bounds, everyone is going to have jokes levied at them for any conceivable reason.

Anyways, the white dude bought the black dude some flip-flops for his birthday last year with confederate flags on them. The black dude posted pics on facebook/instagram, with the caption, "I can't believe what the white devil bought me for my birthday" or something like that. It was funny as hell, but holy crap, the comments that came out from folks that didn't know our group was amazing...and, all of the vitrol was from white women.

Anyways, there's that.

 

[Papa Georgio]

I'm offended by sagging pants and over-weight women wearing yoga pants but I chose to ignore that.

I'm way more worried about people who drive too fast on my street though.

 

[Christo]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

They know other people perceive it as offensive, they just believe that intention is more important than reception. Which is, frankly, a major problem with offensive speech in general.

That's a little ambiguous. What's the "problem"?

 

[Christo]

I doubt there are too any people who display this flag that aren't aware of how blacks perceive it. At this point the ones who display it are deliberately attempting to offend others.

You grow up seeing it in schools. Seeing it on Dukes of Hazard. Seeing it on the courthouse. It is a different culture. It is changing, but there are still a lot of people there who don't see any part of it as racist or even offensive. It is their pride and history.

Bullcrap. They KNOW at this point. They've seen African-Americans on TV telling them that it's offensive. They know, they just don't care.

Innocent question, should they be asked to not display it if for them they mean no disrespect and it's just a matter of their history?

Yes.

Who's doing the asking? And how is non-compliance treated?

 

[moleculo]

I seriously think some of you are showing some of the very traits and bias you accuse the short sighted southerners of having. I have no real feelings either way for the most part. I frown on both sides of the extreme on this issue.

That's fine by me. I, personally, would prefer to not live in a locale where the reb flag is prominently flown.

yes, I understand it's still flown on the grounds of my state capitol building. I'd rather it not be there.

 

[njherdfan]

See I loved Lynyrd Skynyrd. And I love Tom Petty, and he used them for his "Rebels" song and tour about 30 years ago. Also it's important to remember that what we think of as the Confederate flag was actually the flag of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia (the main Confederate army in the east.) The actual flag of the Confederacy, known as the "Stars and Bars" is a very different design. The Army of Northern Virginia was heroic, and celebrating this particular flag, it can be argued, doesn't so much celebrate slavery as it does the battles that Lee's Army fought.

That being said, we have now reached a point in our history in which anyone who displays this flag HAS to be aware of how offensive it is to African-Americans. Even 30 years ago that was a question in debate; it's not anymore. Displaying the flag on cars and other public places, or on clothing, is being deliberately rude. It shouldn't be illegal IMO. But it also shouldn't be part of a license plate which the state manufactures.

This doesn't make sense, unless I misunderstood your earlier point and you're fine with the flag being flown. No one (or basically no one) supports flying the confederate flag now because they actively want a return to slavery. They give the exact same reasons that you give for supporting the flag. The problem is that you can't (or at least I can't) separate the "heroic" conduct of Lee's army, and the cause they were fighting for. Had Lee's army been more successful, slavery would have continued for longer than it did.