Why do some people display huge Conferderate flags in the backs of their pickup trucks?
It seems like this is blatant racism. I’ve heard the excuse that people are just trying to show "support" for their "family history", but I don’t buy that. Especially when I see people with HUGE full sized flags. This is the United States. Not the Confederate States.
To those of you telling me that it’s not a symbol of racism: Just like someone else answered, it is a symbol of that period of racism and the country that was defending it. I don’t care what ELSE they were fighting for. They fought for racism. It’s comparable to the swastika. Yes, it’s a religious symbol, and originally was not a bad symbol. But if you had roots in those religions… or, more extremely, if you had roots in Germany, would you waive your Swastika flags high and proud behind your truck?
17 Responses
Rene
07 Feb 2010
Razor Jim
07 Feb 2010
The confederate flag was the flag carried into battle during the civil war. The south was fighting for states’s rights and not slavery like the history books say. Some rednecks use the flag to torment others because they know it bothers people.
Too many good men died carrying that flag for it to be known as a symbol of racism.
Robert K
07 Feb 2010
I drove through the southern US a couple of years ago and was blown away by that. Bunch of crackers.
It’s like Germans flying the the swastika
minuteman
07 Feb 2010
Because they really believe "The south will rise again!" That is moronic and unrealistic.
Dee B
07 Feb 2010
Point taken. This is indeed the United States. I think it is also racist that so many people think it is part of Africa or Mexico.
Angela C
07 Feb 2010
Besides bigots, I think some people like to be associated with the "Rebel Flag" because they identify themselves as outsiders willing to snub conventional values.
And, as Southerners, they also see themselves as culturally different and distinct from Northern culture which is often portrayed as the normal American way.
I was surprised how many Midwesterners, like bikers at Sturgis, had stickers with the Confederate flag on it. They often struck me as racists.
The thing that really gets me is when state governments (Georgia) adopt this loaded symbol as part of their state flags. I’m glad they finally changed it. Mississippi still has it as a part of their state flag.
You don’t have to be of African ancestry to still find it very offensive to see those stickers.
I also know that a lot of people who don’t have Confederate flags on their cars have unresolved, prejudiced, ignorant opinions, at least when they have the stickers you know who to stay away from.
Jimmy J
07 Feb 2010
It’s their right. I don’t agree with it and I do not display one, but it is their right, plain and simple and they don’t owe you or I an explanation.
nytrainop
07 Feb 2010
why do people do anything? Because they can and this country protects free speech, even speech you don’t like.
I would also suggest you research the CSA a little. Contrary to popular belief the Civil War was not all about slavery. It was over states rights and differing cultures. Blacks fought for the CSA as well. The flag has very little to do with racism. You assuming someone is racist simply because they have a confederate flag really makes you just as guilty of stereotyping and racism as those you point fingers at.
teacupn
07 Feb 2010
The Confederate flag is a symbol of a time when our country was torn in two by the civil war. But it is also a symbol of those who supported slavery.The fact that the Confederate or Rebel flag has become a symbol of the horror of southern racism, in fact racism period, should be reason enough for anyone with a conscience to remove it from public display other than in historical museums, where it should be shown as a part of our history, so that we do not forget.
hardwoodrods
07 Feb 2010
Reading through some of the answers is amazing…. They are racists, but a person who waves the Mexican flag and burns the American flag isn’t? If you allow one, you must allow both…….
whcwarrior_10
07 Feb 2010
It’s called freedom of speech. Why is it liberals only advocate free speech when it fits their agenda? Using your logic, we should ban all other flags, including mexican flags, african flags, and rainbow flags… those arent American either. Or, is it just the confederate flag, which is American by the way, that bothers you?
Marilyn T
07 Feb 2010
I am not sure why. To me it seems to be a symbol of a rebel soul. I am white and a Southwesterner.I suppose if I were black, I would take offence to it. It is all in who is seeing what,it can mean many things to different people.I personally do not display any sort of symbols on my car just not to bother anyone.
<Carol>
07 Feb 2010
I actually agree and those are the same people being angry because mexicans waved there flag on american soil. This used to be part of mexico so under the logic that its because of family history and pride then they should have no problem with the mexican flags waving. I think both is wrong by the way. I think you can be proud of your country you came from and your culture but you also have to embrace the new culture you came into.
ragingreb
07 Feb 2010
ITS HISTORY NOT HATE,WE IN TO SOUTH STILL HAVE A REBEL WELL. WE DON T LIKE ANY ONE TELLING US WHATS RIGHT AND WHATS WRONG.PC IS STIFLING MUCH OF THE FREE THOUGH IS THIS COUNTRY.SOME OF US US WANT YOU OFF OUR BACKS.WE MEAN NO HARM,WON T NO HARM,ITS PART OF THE SOUTHERN HERITAGE OF THE OLD SOUTH.
SONG LYRIC
YOU MAY NOT KNOW WHERE WE COME FROM.
BUT YOU YOU SURE KNOW WHERE WE STAND.
HATE US IF YOU WANT TO.
LOVE US IF YOU CAN.
RAGINGREB ATLANTA/GA
starflower
07 Feb 2010
Because they are a bunch of hillbilly rednecks who don’t know any better. They are just ignorant.
pappyld04
07 Feb 2010
Isn’t this similar to someone who displays a black pride, or brown power decal? I guess you’d call me a racist if I stuck a white power sticker in my window also, huh? A flag is not racist. BTW, the South weren’t the only slave owners. Plz do your research before wasting our time!!!!
rick b
07 Feb 2010
The people that see nothing but racism in the Confederate battle flag are ignorant and not familiar with the true history of the south. They’re entitled to their opinion I suppose but they don’t know what they’re talking about. The south never fought for racism and the north never fought against it. Don’t try to tell me that the emancipation proclamation is proof that they did. It wasn’t about taking the high ground on racism. It was about trying to incite a slave revolt. If you think it wasn’t then explain to me why it only applied in states not under northern control. Slavery wasn’t made illegal in the north until after the war. If the south was all about slavery then why did they have black volunteers in the confederate army? If the north was so pure why did they treat black soldiers like cattle? You know at Fredericksburg the north dug a big tunnel under the southern lines and filled it with explosives and blew a BIG hole. They trained black troops foe weeks prior to blowing the tunnel to be the first ones through the breach. At the last minute it was decided from above that the black troops wouldn’t be able to fight bravely etc. They were replaced by white troops who failed in their assignment and the souyh held their ground. The flag is a symbol of pride in their southern heritage and they have every right to be proud. One of my favorite bumper stickers reads "American by birth, Southern by the grace of God". The south rising again may be the salvation of this country.
They are racists! I don’t care what excuse they give… it’s plain and simple racism.