That Pesky Rebel Flag

[Sweet Pea]

Originally Posted by jowlar

Out of curiosity.

If a black man displayed a rebel flag honoring an ancestor that fought bravely during the civil war, would anyone still be offended?

If a white man put a sign in his yard that read "white people are bad", would anyone still be offended?

Yes, to both of your questions, but I wouldn't.

You can't do anything without offending someone.

[Bamassee]

Originally Posted by mmcd3182

So it sounds like in this post that the Rebel Flag is for Whites Only? If blacks use it, they are doing so out of spite? It seems to me that if some white people want to fly it because of "Heritage" or "Pride", then a black person should be able to do the same thing if they're so inclined. But it sounds like they can't because it would "piss 'some' white people off."

I absolutely agree, most excellent post, mmcd!

IF as most are stating this flag represents history, southern heritage and pride, this flag can and does include the Southern Black community that have deep roots and histories within the south and they, too, have families that died under that battle flag. They are just as entitled as the white community to display their Southern heritage, without repercussion from ANYONE.

To those that would get "pissed off" with regards to this example, please research your historical facts and evaluate why the flag is important to you. If it's truly Southern pride and heritage, you must include the role of Southern Blacks in our civil war history.....If this still causes anger, I would suggest that Southern pride, history and heritage are NOT your motivation nor intent with regards to the flag and as I posted earlier, perpetuates the racist distortion of our Southern and American histories.

[AUFAN]

Originally Posted by demopolite

AUFAN, what about an adult who chose to wear a swastika? What would your impression be? Would you believe him if he said "I harbor no ill will toward Jews, I'm just proud of my heritage"?

Would you if you were a Jew?


Posted via Mobile Device

I am not a jew. I would ask for an explanation as to why they would wear it. If I didnt agree with them I would voice my opinion towards them as to why I did or did not agree with them. I would do it in a civil manner and not jude them by their apperance. You cant always judge someone by their heritage. Not all musilums are bad people. I bet some of them are proud of their heritage and I would go out on a limb and say that they are not proud of what some musilums have done to it.

[Bamassee]

Originally Posted by sweetlymon

How many blacks have "you" ever seen wearing it or displaying it?

I dont know about mmcd, but I seem to remember a Black gentleman marching across the Southern States in a Confederate Civil War uniform carrying a Rebel flag to signify HIS southern heritage. This was covered by numerous news channels. I so wish I could remember his name....

He had researched the history of the Southern Blacks and their role in the Civil War. It was most interesting and most refreshing. His conviction and knowledge alone were deserving of my respect for him as a person. Although he was met with controversy by both whites and blacks, he vowed to continue his trek until he reached his goal. There were some, myself included, that appreciated his cause and dedication.

[sweetlymon]

Please let me ask this, if this flag represent so much about history, southern heritage and pride. Then why dont we see blacks representing it. If a black person wore this to a kkk rally, do you think they would welcomed with open arms?

[AUFAN]

Originally Posted by sweetlymon

please let me ask this, if this flag represent so much about history, southern heritage and pride. Then why dont we see blacks representing it. If a black person wore this to a kkk rally, do you think they would welcomed with open arms?

no

[sweetlymon]

Originally Posted by mmcd3182

So it sounds like in this post that the Rebel Flag is for Whites Only? If blacks use it, they are doing so out of spite? It seems to me that if some white people want to fly it because of "Heritage" or "Pride", then a black person should be able to do the same thing if they're so inclined. But it sounds like they can't because it would "piss 'some' white people off."

Is the Battle Flag the "white term of endearment," like the use of the word "n****r" between black people? I can't comment on the second because I'm not black, and as far as the first -- the Battle Flag, we can easily see here that not all people display or even like the Rebel Flag. I would bet the same goes for "some people" of the black race as in the use of the n-word. Some say it's a term of endearment between fellow blacks -- some say it's a horrible reminder of the times of Jim Crow and the ongoing prejudicial treatment of blacks by any race (especially white).

Originally Posted by Bamassee

I dont know about mmcd, but I seem to remember a Black gentleman marching across the Southern States carrying a Rebel flag to signify HIS southern heritage. This was covered by numerous news channels. I so wish I could remember his name....

He had researched the history of the Southern Blacks and their role in the Civil War. It was most interesting and most refreshing. His conviction and knowledge alone were deserving of my respect for him as a person. Although he was met with controversy by both whites and blacks, he vowed to continue his trek until he reached his goal. There were some, myself included, that appreciated his cause and dedication.

I'm sure he will be the only one you see too. Let the truth be told, we dont see enough blacks wearing it to even remember. Yes, you would remember that one time event. Its not an everyday attire for blacks.

[Bamassee]

Originally Posted by sweetlymon

Please let me ask this, if this flag represent so much about history, southern heritage and pride. Then why dont we see blacks representing it. If a black person wore this to a kkk rally, do you think they would welcomed with open arms?

I dont know of any black person that would be met with open arms at a KKK rally REGARDLESS of what he were displaying.

I just gave an example of a black man displaying the flag. Just the reference of KKK and this flag alone can be considered a prime example of the racist distortion in today's society.

[CedarSam]

I remember as early as the 80's....The Stock Car Race in Darlington SC, was called the REBEL 500.
When I was a kid, the winner of the race would parade around the track wearing a confederate hat and holdind a very large Rebel flag.
The tradition and the name changed when TV starting covering these events.
Have ya been to South Carolina?
Rebel pride isn't just at the track...it a way of life.
But to make some happy, they gave up the name and is now called the Southern 500.
Watch the movie SHAG...it was filmed in Myrtle beach SC...Bridget Fonda is wearing a Rebel Flag Bikini.....now that's how it should be displayed...lol
anyways, I think alot of people fly the flag because they are daring someone to tell them they can't...they feel enough has been taking away.
What would happen if someone started a DIXIE channel on TV?...all hell would break loose....JMO

[demopolite]

Originally Posted by AUFAN

I am not a jew. I would ask for an explanation as to why they would wear it. If I didnt agree with them I would voice my opinion towards them as to why I did or did not agree with them. I would do it in a civil manner and not jude them by their apperance. You cant always judge someone by their heritage. Not all musilums are bad people. I bet some of them are proud of their heritage and I would go out on a limb and say that they are not proud of what some musilums have done to it.

"Muslims" is a rather broader group of people than "Nazis". Some Muslims perpetrated crimes against other. All Nazis supported and fought for a government that systematically repressed an entire race of people. Any person wearing a swastika knows that.

Can you conceive of any possible explanation for someone wearing a swastika that you would agree with? What would your first thought be when you saw it? I know you are not Jewish...I asked you to imagine that you were and what your impression would be.

[demopolite]

anyways, I think alot of people fly the flag because they are daring someone to tell them they can't...they feel enough has been taking away.

What sort of things do they feel have been taken away? I know that you're speaking about what you think that others think -- so you're just guessing!

[Bamassee]

Originally Posted by sweetlymon

I'm sure he will be the only one you see too. Let the truth be told, we dont see enough blacks wearing it to even remember. Yes, you would remember that one time event. Its not an everyday attire for blacks.

I dont deny the fact that it's not something you would see everyday. "Truth be told", you are correct that I remember him because he was black and carrying the Rebel flag but as much as that, I had great respect for HIS cause to educate those that perceive it as a symbol of hate, slavery and racisim ONLY.

You also may very well be right that this man may be the only black man I see displaying it as a symbol of pride in HIS heritage. You are also correct that it is not an everyday occurance for blacks to display the Stars n' Bars, which makes it even more memorable to me. I believe that the hate groups who use this as a symbol of their hate to be a very understandable reason why the black community objects so strongly and one of the reasons this man began his journey.

[jowlar]

Originally Posted by jowlar

Out of curiosity.

If a black man displayed a rebel flag honoring an ancestor that fought bravely during the civil war, would anyone still be offended?

If a white man put a sign in his yard that read "white people are bad", would anyone still be offended?

Maybe I should have phrased my questions differently. For those that have stated they have preconceived notions about people who display the confederate battle flag, what would those notions be if the person displaying the flag were black?

I am not taking sides either way. As someone else stated they were introduced to the rebel flag by The Dukes of Hazzard. My earliest memories of the rebel flag were Ole Miss' annual beat downs of Miss. State .

[sweetlymon]

Originally Posted by Bamassee

I dont deny the fact that it's not something you would see everyday. "Truth be told", you are correct that I remember him because he was black and carrying the Rebel flag but as much as that, I had great respect for HIS cause to educate those that perceive it as a symbol of hate, slavery and racisim ONLY.

You also may very well be right that this man may be the only black man I see displaying it as a symbol of pride in HIS heritage. You are also correct that it is not an everyday occurance for blacks to display the Stars n' Bars, which makes it even more memorable to me. I believe that the hate groups who use this as a symbol of their hate to a very understandable reason why the black community objects so strongly and one of the reasons this man began his journey.

Your beliefs, your rights.

[demopolite]

Originally Posted by jowlar

Maybe I should have phrased my questions differently. For those that have stated they have preconceived notions about people who display the confederate battle flag, what would those notions be if the person displaying the flag were black?

No preconceived notions...just confusion. I'd have to ask exactly what about the CSA and the Jim Crow South they were proud of. That is...if I ever saw any black person wearing it.

Well...I take that back, I might have Preconceived Notion #2 from above: they're wearing it because they think it's cool and probably know little to nothing about history...and don't care.

Ah yes...Ole Miss...bastion of racial diversity and football prowess. Home of the best mascot in college football - the Black-Hatin' Cracker Colonel!