I respect the fact that the Confederate flag offends some and for that reason as Tootsie stated, I also would never publically display one, unless participating in a historical event.
However the flag itself is not the problem, the problem is the use of it for self serving purposes.
It can be used in a non racist, historical aspect. And those that respect that usage, despise the abuse of it for hate filled activities as much as anyone, probably more. Nothing is more upsetting to me than anything associated with the KKK, but they also hid behind white sheets and burned crosses which to me, both were more traumatic that the use of the flag.
No one would ever say that crosses and white sheets only represent racism, therefore the flag should not be seen only in that aspect either.
It offends me when it used to promote hatred, fear or racism. Just as the American flag offends many in this day and time, I would not want anyone to judge all of us based on those feelings.
The American flag represented this nation when this nation seperated itself for many reasons from England. The American flag also flew over every slave ship that sailed, and all were owned by rich Northern business men. Only a very small percentage of Southerners owned slaves, less than 10%, but yet many fought for the Confederacy during the War. So there is much more to the War than slavery and the flag. Which actually is a Battle flag and not a official flag of the Confederate states.
There is a tremendous history to the Confederate flag and sadly only the assocation of it in a horrible way is remembered by most.
I sure many racist skinheads drive trucks but none of us would label all truck drivers racist, or hate mongers.
I am sure somewhere there are racists that wear Prada.
I do agree that making it larger than some buildings is just making the situation worse and most Southern historians will agree.
check, please!
