World's biggest Confederate flag

[LuciferSam]

Does live and let live, don't judge the symbol go for swastikas as well? A noose?


My question is this -- what are you saying with the use of the Confederate flag as a symbol? If I'm judging you for not respecting what that flag represents for some people, and choosing to stick it in their face as though your opinions are more important than theirs -- what is it I'm missing? Please someone, teach me what is so important and so sacred about this symbol and the people who love it so much they must risk hurting others to display it.

Apparently there are a few early 20th century buildings in the U.S. where the swastika remains for historical purposes. There are also efforts to remove them.

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_Swastika_in_the_early_20th_century"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_Swastika_in_the_early_20th_century[/ame]

 

[Matt J]

Does live and let live, don't judge the symbol go for swastikas as well? A noose?


My question is this -- what are you saying with the use of the Confederate flag as a symbol? If I'm judging you for not respecting what that flag represents for some people, and choosing to stick it in their face as though your opinions are more important than theirs -- what is it I'm missing? Please someone, teach me what is so important and so sacred about this symbol and the people who love it so much they must risk hurting others to display it.

Apparently there are a few early 20th century buildings in the U.S. where the swastika remains for historical purposes. There are also efforts to remove them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_Swastika_in_the_early_20th_century

I don't think that the swastika is a fair comparison here. The swastika existed prior to the Nazi's turning it into the universal hate symbol it is today. So there is some historical context for using it. The confederate flag was created as a symbol by the southern states. There may be a small group in Germany that feel the swastika has some historical/heritage like symbolism, but they are skinheads. Most Germans would gladly never see one again. The swastika during the Nazi era was a very clear symbol against anyone that didn't fit into the Nazi definition of worth while human being. The confederate flag was used to diferentiate the southern states from the northern states and as we all know the civil war was not just about slavery, but in fact a very small part of the overall issues.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think the swastika is a great comparison - it had a historic/cultural meaning, then was adopted as a symbol of hatred, so people don't want it displayed because it is offensive.

 

[JustaLocal]

I'm just glad that people can display things others find offensive without somebody feeling they need to attack Embassies in protest.

 

[Teresa]

justalocal - your above post is the most wonderful post I have seen all day long. flying a flag of any kind is our right here in usa. we may not like seeing some of those signs and symbols on houses, cars, tshirts, and some of them may offend or hurt us, but. that person has a right to expression of heritage and/or culture.

but, as I keep saying, I would never fly a confederate flag because I would never want to hurt another by doing so.. and it certainly would offend and hurt others. (just want to make sure you all don't get the wrong idea when I say people should wave their confederate flags all day long).

 

[Matt J]

justalocal - your above post is the most wonderful post I have seen all day long. flying a flag of any kind is our right here in usa. we may not like seeing signs and symbols on houses, cars, tshirts, and some of it may even be very hurtful to us, but. that person has a right to expression of heritage and/or culture.

Just so long as it doesn't disrupt flight paths. ;-)

 

[LuciferSam]

I don't think that the swastika is a fair comparison here. The swastika existed prior to the Nazi's turning it into the universal hate symbol it is today. So there is some historical context for using it. The confederate flag was created as a symbol by the southern states. There may be a small group in Germany that feel the swastika has some historical/heritage like symbolism, but they are skinheads. Most Germans would gladly never see one again. The swastika during the Nazi era was a very clear symbol against anyone that didn't fit into the Nazi definition of worth while human being. The confederate flag was used to diferentiate the southern states from the northern states and as we all know the civil war was not just about slavery, but in fact a very small part of the overall issues.

Then it sounds to me like the origins of the confederate flag are based on promoting divisions among people.

 

[JustaLocal]

as I keep saying, I would never fly a confederate flag because I would never want to hurt another by doing so.. and it certainly would offend and hurt others. (just want to make sure you all don't get the wrong idea when I say people should wave their confederate flags all day long).

I wouldn't either, and for the same reason.

 

[Jdarg]

I wouldn't either, and for the same reason.

Me three.

 

[rapunzel]

Granted, people can wave the flag all day long. It's their choice and their right.

When I see a Confederate flag on a car, I get the same feeling I get when I glance over and see someone picking their nose and eating the nugget. Revulsion.

As for the mindset, I've known a few people who showed a passion for that flag, and they were the same people I had to have that awkward "please don't use the n-word around me" conversation with...