Honk for Confederate Pride

[30A Skunkape]

The Confederate battle flag (the one everyone can identify, anyway) is a historically important relic. It meant something to a generation of Americans that couldn't be boiled down to simple racism, redneckism or bad taste. If you doubt this please see the image below. For better or worse it became a symbol through which segregationists could razz those fighting for integration and civil rights. Now it is generally displayed by southern adolescents who don't know any better, a few honest to goodness heritage groups and a few honest to goodness hate groups. I doubt the Sons of the Confederacy (or whatever this group is) are racists by default just because their organization's crest (which probably dates back to Reconstruction or at least the early 20th century) incorporates the familiar battle flag. I don't know if you know any civil war freaks, but they do exist and some are as whacked as Trekkies in their mid 19th century facial hair growth and dress, and probably do not and will not understand why the battle flag is offensive. On the other hand, I can understand why the license plate is offensive to some, and it would probably be prudent to issue a compromise plate featuring a cannon or something. I hate the 'rebel flag' debate...it is as likely to be settled as is the abortion debate.

 

[Teresa]

Kurt! The Bama Trinity!!! :funn::funn::funn:

absolutely!

my dad's trinity / practically has an alter / museum in his house honoring 3 dudes: bear bryant, elvis presley, and george jones.

you have some great points punzy. we could do an entire book on the history, culture, food, art, people, customs, music and beauty of the south.

 

[TooFarTampa]

The Confederate battle flag (the one everyone can identify, anyway) is a historically important relic. It meant something to a generation of Americans that couldn't be boiled down to simple racism, redneckism or bad taste. If you doubt this please see the image below. For better or worse it became a symbol through which segregationists could razz those fighting for integration and civil rights. Now it is generally displayed by southern adolescents who don't know any better, a few honest to goodness heritage groups and a few honest to goodness hate groups. I doubt the Sons of the Confederacy (or whatever this group is) are racists by default just because their organization's crest (which probably dates back to Reconstruction or at least the early 20th century) incorporates the familiar battle flag. I don't know if you know any civil war freaks, but they do exist and some are as whacked as Trekkies in their mid 19th century facial hair growth and dress, and probably do not and will not understand why the battle flag is offensive. On the other hand, I can understand why the license plate is offensive to some, and it would probably be prudent to issue a compromise plate featuring a cannon or something. I hate the 'rebel flag' debate...it is as likely to be settled as is the abortion debate.

How about just a big old glass of sweet tea?

 

[Geo]

The Confederate battle flag (the one everyone can identify, anyway) is a historically important relic. It meant something to a generation of Americans that couldn't be boiled down to simple racism, redneckism or bad taste.

IMHO, It can be and often is boiled down to a simple matter of racism, redneckism and bad taste. I thought that the Nazi Germany analogy would work perfectly in driving home this obvious point but I guess I was wrong. So here's an analogy that I made up that is not as good but it exaggerates the point for effect-

Let's say that two hundred years ago the way children expressed respect and admiration to adults was by extending their middle finger. Over the next century the meaning of this gesture evolved to mean, "I love you" and was used by married couples. Then unexpectedly, pirates adopted this symbol to mean, "Rape and Pilage" and it was the last sight of many innocent people before suffering a brutal death. Somewhere in the early 1900's, the extension of the middle finger became widely accepted as a vulgar insult having to do with (F) Unlawful Carnal Knowledge...

Now let's say (yes, it is getting more ridiculous) that I want to hold onto and celebrate the historical meanings (with genuine or feigned intentions). So I guess I'll just show some respect and some love to everyone around me by giving them the finger. What? It can't be boiled down to a simple matter of vulgarity, can it? You're forgetting that this means so much more and history proves that... (end sarcasm)

For better or worse it became a symbol through which segregationists could razz those fighting for integration and civil rights. Now it is generally displayed by southern adolescents who don't know any better, a few honest to goodness heritage groups and a few honest to goodness hate groups.

Very nicely said.

I doubt the Sons of the Confederacy (or whatever this group is) are racists by default just because their organization's crest (which probably dates back to Reconstruction or at least the early 20th century) incorporates the familiar battle flag.

Agreed. But that is not at all the point. The flag evokes imagery of racism, redneckism and bad taste IRRESPECTIVE of your intentions for flying it...

Two cents and then some...

G

 

[Beach Runner]

Okay, so how many of you bought Rebel flag beach towels in PCB when you were teenagers?

 

[Geo]

Okay, so how many of you bought Rebel flag beach towels in PCB when you were teenagers?

Can you say-
Dukes of Hazzard???

 

[InletBchDweller]

Wow, this thread really has me stirred up. Skunky did bring a great point. It is a sensitive subject that like abortion is a dead end street.

The Confederate flag stands for those who died in the belief that they were going to make America better. There were blacks and whites who died for this cause, blacks even fighting for the South. I dont feel that the Confederate battle flag should be discriminated against because of the behavior of KKK or extremist groups. We should not blame the flag for its misuse, because the flag is not the enemy.



Think: A rainbow....wow how many meanings that this symbol has....

1. to a child - it is a beautiful magical thing, look for a pot of gold, St. Patricks Day,
2. to a homosexual - it has been used to identify their group in the form of flags, stickers, etc
3. to a Christian - it is a symbol that God's promise that He will never flood the Earth again

So, would it be wrong if somebody wanted to BAN rainbows because they hated homosexuals or Christians??

I guess we can argue back and forth giving examples. Just because I like the flag does not mean I am driving around with a noose in my car...:roll:

 

[30A Skunkape]

IBD, are you one of those people that wants to remove Robert E. Lee's statue from Lee Circle?

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Can you say-
Dukes of Hazzard???

Good point. I have two small emblems on either side of my truck cab. The background is black with a rebel flag overlay. They don't stand out but you can see them when you get right up to it.About the size of a credit card.The truck was customized by Dixie Outfitters from Ft. Payne Alabama. This is their logo and was placed there by them. It was shipped to Pensacola, where I purchased it. I purchased it because it fit my needs in a truck and it was purple(custom paint). Other than this,I have never worn or bought something to explain my southern pride by use of a rebel flag. I have Alabama football t-shirts and a terribly heavy southern accent to do that.

I am offended by some tags I see and won't go into that, except to say, I believe in freedom of expression. It's up to me to be a big girl and let others proclaim their beliefs as they see fit, as long as I can speak about mine in the medium I choose.
Peace out

 

[Geo]

I am offended by some tags I see and won't go into that, except to say, I believe in freedom of expression. It up to me to be a big girl and let others proclaim their beliefs as they see fit, as long as I can speak about mine in the medium I choose.
Peace out

Agreed and well stated. That really trumps anything else in this debate and allows for everyone to win. We are fortunate to live in a country that allows for such freedoms.

Cheers to all. No hard feelers here...