Why do some people still fly Confederate flags?

I see this in the South a fair amount and in this neighborhood in Southern California. Is it an important symbol or something like that?

People hang it as a symbol for their pride in the south.

Because they think it's so cool and "rebelious".

Personally I'd like to burn that flag to a crisp, but that's just me. =)

Southern pride..if it offends you then read up on your history..

Southern pride or something like that. Or so I've heard.

Southern pride..if it offends you then read up on your history..

Xx_Hopeless_xX

It doesn't offend me, I just find it interesting that the flag is still around.

they have the right to... To many it signifies states rightsredbaron3

Funny, because given the reason the South seceded in the first place I think the Confederacy is the perfect argument against states' rights.

People hang it as a symbol for their pride in the south.

DJ-Lafleur

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

Southern pride..if it offends you then read up on your history..

Film-Guy

It doesn't offend me, I just find it interesting that the flag is still around.

I know, some people it does..i have no idea why...

Southern pride or something like that. Or so I've heard.

Silverbond

Some(Most probably) do it on southern pride, some for racism.

I don't mind it as a sign of heritage in the South. Not every person who lived in the confederate states was a racist, there is so much more to that flag than racism and support for slavery. Today it could be looked at as even a sign of rebellion.KlownMaster

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

(red neck voice) yee haw

I see this in the South a fair amount and in this neighborhood in Southern California. Is it an important symbol or something like that?

Film-Guy

[QUOTE="KlownMaster"]I don't mind it as a sign of heritage in the South. Not every person who lived in the confederate states was a racist, there is so much more to that flag than racism and support for slavery. Today it could be looked at as even a sign of rebellion.theone86

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

They did not secede because of slavery...

They were forced to pay tariffs which would make their way of living more expensive..whilst making the more industrialised norths way of life cheaper...

Their whole culture was different than that of the north..and they felt the north was threatening their way of life..

The Kansas Nebraska act caused alot of trouble on both sides...

Then there's also Harper's Ferry..in which John Brown tried to arm slaves but was killed by the Southern militia in the process..the north then praised him as a martyr...which showed that the North sanctioned violence as a means of freeing slaves..

The 2nd Great Awakening also plays a role...as well as the Transcontinental railroad and the lands in the Western US that had been ceded to the US by the mexicans..

There were many more issues as well..but basically they fought the civil war to protect their way of life...which INVOLVED slavery..but something around 75% or more of the southerners were subsistence farmers..

because it looks cool?

I see them occasionally around Ohio (a Union state, BTW). Supposedly they demonstrate southern pride, but it is also willfully defiant of the fact that it is very offensive to a lot of people. Just because the swastika has a benign meaning completely separate of Nazis doesn't mean anyone should fly them anymore.sieg6529

I always see them when I drive through Ohio too..I have no idea why the hell they are up here.

[QUOTE="sieg6529"]I see them occasionally around Ohio (a Union state, BTW). Supposedly they demonstrate southern pride, but it is also willfully defiant of the fact that it is very offensive to a lot of people. Just because the swastika has a benign meaning completely separate of Nazis doesn't mean anyone should fly them anymore.taj7575

I always see them when I drive through Ohio too..I have no idea why the hell they are up here.

I live in NY and i wear a hat with the confederate flag on it...but that's because i love the South and the history of it..

Plus it is still part of the flag of Mississippi flag. Quite simply it as a part of Southern heritage, the same way the rainbow flag is a sign of gay pride.

KlownMaster

Lawl, revisionism. Let's just ignore all the bad things it stands for and act like it ONLY stands for the good things we want it to stand for. It's not there was some clandestine meeting somewhere after the war where a bunch of people got together and said, "this flag will no longer represent slavery, it's going to be a symbol of southern pride," it stands for slavery because of the actions that took place in the state that it represented and to try to change that meaning diminishes the impact of what actually did happen in the Confederacy.

Symbol that they make their own grits. Every respectable southerner knows that.Nifty_Shark

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="KlownMaster"]I don't mind it as a sign of heritage in the South. Not every person who lived in the confederate states was a racist, there is so much more to that flag than racism and support for slavery. Today it could be looked at as even a sign of rebellion.Xx_Hopeless_xX

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

They did not secede because of slavery...

They were forced to pay tariffs which would make their way of living more expensive..whilst making the more industrialised norths way of life cheaper...

Their whole culture was different than that of the north..and they felt the north was threatening their way of life..

The Kansas Nebraska act caused alot of trouble on both sides...

Then there's also Harper's Ferry..in which John Brown tried to arm slaves but was killed by the Southern militia in the process..the north then praised him as a martyr...which showed that the North sanctioned violence as a means of freeing slaves..

There were many more issues as well..but basically they fought the civil war to protect their way of life...which INVOLVED slavery..but something around 75% or more of the southerners were subsistence farmers..

[QUOTE="KlownMaster"]

Plus it is still part of the flag of Mississippi flag. Quite simply it as a part of Southern heritage, the same way the rainbow flag is a sign of gay pride.

theone86

Lawl, revisionism. Let's just ignore all the bad things it stands for and act like it ONLY stands for the good things we want it to stand for. It's not there was some clandestine meeting somewhere after the war where a bunch of people got together and said, "this flag will no longer represent slavery, it's going to be a symbol of southern pride," it stands for slavery because of the actions that took place in the state that it represented and to try to change that meaning diminishes the impact of what actually did happen in the Confederacy.

many flags around the world were used in the name of bad things, but people still use them...

[QUOTE="DJ-Lafleur"]

People hang it as a symbol for their pride in the south.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="theone86"]

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

bshanholtzer

They did not secede because of slavery...

They were forced to pay tariffs which would make their way of living more expensive..whilst making the more industrialised norths way of life cheaper...

Their whole culture was different than that of the north..and they felt the north was threatening their way of life..

The Kansas Nebraska act caused alot of trouble on both sides...

Then there's also Harper's Ferry..in which John Brown tried to arm slaves but was killed by the Southern militia in the process..the north then praised him as a martyr...which showed that the North sanctioned violence as a means of freeing slaves..

There were many more issues as well..but basically they fought the civil war to protect their way of life...which INVOLVED slavery..but something around 75% or more of the southerners were subsistence farmers..

Sorry but i took an American History course...and that's where i learned it...also i find the history behind the Civil War interesting..in fact..i find history in general interesting...

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="sieg6529"]I see them occasionally around Ohio (a Union state, BTW). Supposedly they demonstrate southern pride, but it is also willfully defiant of the fact that it is very offensive to a lot of people. Just because the swastika has a benign meaning completely separate of Nazis doesn't mean anyone should fly them anymore.Xx_Hopeless_xX

I always see them when I drive through Ohio too..I have no idea why the hell they are up here.

I live in NY and i wear a hat with the confederate flag on it...but that's because i love the South and the history of it..

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="KlownMaster"]I don't mind it as a sign of heritage in the South. Not every person who lived in the confederate states was a racist, there is so much more to that flag than racism and support for slavery. Today it could be looked at as even a sign of rebellion.Xx_Hopeless_xX

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

They did not secede because of slavery...

They were forced to pay tariffs which would make their way of living more expensive..whilst making the more industrialised norths way of life cheaper...

Their whole culture was different than that of the north..and they felt the north was threatening their way of life..

The Kansas Nebraska act caused alot of trouble on both sides...

Then there's also Harper's Ferry..in which John Brown tried to arm slaves but was killed by the Southern militia in the process..the north then praised him as a martyr...which showed that the North sanctioned violence as a means of freeing slaves..

There were many more issues as well..but basically they fought the civil war to protect their way of life...which INVOLVED slavery..but something around 75% or more of the southerners were subsistence farmers..

Slavery was the principle issue, if slavery were not an issue at all the war would never have been fought. You mention the Kansas Nebraska Act, that act specifically dealt with slavery. It wasn't about defending their way of life, it was about defending slavery, which would have impacted their way of life in that they would actually have to pay fair (comparatively to slave) wages to the people who worked for them. That doesn't justify slavery, I'm sure the Hutus talked about defending their way of life in order to try and justify their actions as well.

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="sieg6529"]I see them occasionally around Ohio (a Union state, BTW). Supposedly they demonstrate southern pride, but it is also willfully defiant of the fact that it is very offensive to a lot of people. Just because the swastika has a benign meaning completely separate of Nazis doesn't mean anyone should fly them anymore.Xx_Hopeless_xX

I always see them when I drive through Ohio too..I have no idea why the hell they are up here.

I live in NY and i wear a hat with the confederate flag on it...but that's because i love the South and the history of it..

I guess it's a nice memorabilia to wear..In your house.

[QUOTE="theone86"]

[QUOTE="KlownMaster"]

Plus it is still part of the flag of Mississippi flag. Quite simply it as a part of Southern heritage, the same way the rainbow flag is a sign of gay pride.

KlownMaster

Lawl, revisionism. Let's just ignore all the bad things it stands for and act like it ONLY stands for the good things we want it to stand for. It's not there was some clandestine meeting somewhere after the war where a bunch of people got together and said, "this flag will no longer represent slavery, it's going to be a symbol of southern pride," it stands for slavery because of the actions that took place in the state that it represented and to try to change that meaning diminishes the impact of what actually did happen in the Confederacy.

But the Union didn't fight a five year war that took thousands of lives to defend slavery. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any idealistic view of American/British imperialism, but they at least took a stand against slavery whereas the Confederacy did exactly the opposite.

Honastly, I just find it annoying, and most of the people who go out of the way to show it off to others faces annoying...

[QUOTE="taj7575"]

[QUOTE="sieg6529"]I see them occasionally around Ohio (a Union state, BTW). Supposedly they demonstrate southern pride, but it is also willfully defiant of the fact that it is very offensive to a lot of people. Just because the swastika has a benign meaning completely separate of Nazis doesn't mean anyone should fly them anymore.Xx_Hopeless_xX

I always see them when I drive through Ohio too..I have no idea why the hell they are up here.

I live in NY and i wear a hat with the confederate flag on it...but that's because i love the South and the history of it..

dukes of hazard, panteraRichymisiak

I don't know why people do it. Here in Texas tons of people still do it.

[QUOTE="redbaron3"]they have the right to... To many it signifies states rightstheone86

Funny, because given the reason the South seceded in the first place I think the Confederacy is the perfect argument against states' rights.

[QUOTE="Xx_Hopeless_xX"]

[QUOTE="theone86"]

There's really not. If you're flying it as a sign of rebellion then, frankly, you're just being a tremendous moron. As for heritage, the flag was specifically comissioned to represent the Confederacy, an entity that existed basically for the sole purpose of protecting the institution of slavery. Not that there's not more to southern culture than that, but the Confederate flag doesn't really represent that culture, a state flag or the American flag could just as easily be used to represent that.

theone86

They did not secede because of slavery...

They were forced to pay tariffs which would make their way of living more expensive..whilst making the more industrialised norths way of life cheaper...

Their whole culture was different than that of the north..and they felt the north was threatening their way of life..

The Kansas Nebraska act caused alot of trouble on both sides...

Then there's also Harper's Ferry..in which John Brown tried to arm slaves but was killed by the Southern militia in the process..the north then praised him as a martyr...which showed that the North sanctioned violence as a means of freeing slaves..

There were many more issues as well..but basically they fought the civil war to protect their way of life...which INVOLVED slavery..but something around 75% or more of the southerners were subsistence farmers..

Slavery was the principle issue, if slavery were not an issue at all the war would never have been fought. You mention the Kansas Nebraska Act, that act specifically dealt with slavery. It wasn't about defending their way of life, it was about defending slavery, which would have impacted their way of life in that they would actually have to pay fair (comparatively to slave) wages to the people who worked for them. That doesn't justify slavery, I'm sure the Hutus talked about defending their way of life in order to try and justify their actions as well.

They defended the way they of life they knew...again..look at how the South was formed...slavery is what they knew..saying slavery was perhaps the root cause would be correct..but stating it was the only reason is wholly incorrect...i suggest you go read up on Subsistence farming...they didn't want what they knew to change...and the Kansas-Nebraska act was more of an Issue due to the Missouri Compromise line and the balance between slave and free states in congress...Both territories should have been free..but then that would upset the balance..so someone decided to institute popular sovereignty...this ultimately led to "bleeding Kansas" which was a sort of mini civil war..and they weren't thinking about having to pay the slaves...they saw wage labor as a type of slavery called "wage slavery" if i recall correctly...this again..was a result of the culture that was formed due to how they made their livelihood..and again..something around 75% of southerners were subsistence farmers..so i highly doubt they were fighting to defend slavery..because...none of the subsistence farmers owned slaves...which leads us back to the fact that the southerners were defending their way of life....also, originally in the south they used indentured servants (white men) to work on plantations...which then eventually led to slavery because the main crop at first was tobacco..then cotton..both are highly labor intensive....you also appear to ignore the fact that the North only excacerbated the problem..by praising people likejohn Brown as a martyr...you should look into the cultural differences and how they came to be instead of claiming that all the South wanted to do was protect slavery..and you should read up on the other things i mentioned as well..

Also you may want to go read up on how the South originally began using slavery...their way of life was what they knew...and they feared that others would take it away from them..if placed in that situation i'm fairly certain you would fight for what you considered your way of life as well..the issue was much more complex than "oh they just wanted to defend slavery"..