The Latest Confederate Flag Flaps
The simmering controversy over the display of the Confederate flag by public entities remains a festering sore on the American body politic. And over the past week, voices from the left, right and center weighed in on the ongoing disgrace that is the public romance of the CSA banner in South Carolina, Mississippi and elsewhere in the Old South.
To begin, let's offer one cheer for Delaware Senator and 2008 Democratic White House hopeful Joe Biden. Speaking in critical primary state South Carolina following a Martin Luther King day event, Biden offered his verdict on the Stars and Bars flying above public facilities in the Palmetto State:
"If I were a state legislator, I'd vote for it to move off the grounds -- out of the state...As people become more and more aware of what it means to African-Americans here, this is only a matter of time."
Biden's optimism, however, may have been dampened had he been present for the inaugural festivities for Texas Governor Rick Perry in Austin. There, happy Lone Star Republicans were entertained by gun evangelist and aging rocker Ted Nugent, who donned a Confederate flag t-shirt while denouncing non-English speakers in the state. Perry spokesman Robert Black defended Nugent's "freedom of expression" and confirmed that the one-time Bush acolyte would have invited the Motor City Madman even had he known in advance of his choice of attire. As for the lingering controversy over the display of statues of Confederate heroes at the University of Texas, it shouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out where Governor Perry really stands.
Meanwhile, the NCAA on Tuesday tried to chart a middle course in its ongoing boycott against college sporting events to be held in South Carolina and Mississippi. While voting to continue its 2001 ban on bringing "predetermined events," such as NCAA basketball regionals, to the two states, it rejected a request from the Black Coaches Association to extend the policy to baseball and football playoffs.
As the 2008 South Carolina primary nears, we'll no doubt be treated to more pleas from one set of Americans to respect all others. But as Perry, Nugent and others should make clear, the Confederate flag hags of the Old South aren't going anywhere soon.
For more from Perrspectives on the seemingly unending Confederate flag controversy, see:
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I live in South Carolina and have since I was a small child. In my public high school I remember the confederate flag being banned – no student was allowed to display it anywhere or in anyway.
Posted by Jessica on March 19, 2007 9:15 AMThe confederate flag in my eyes is a symbol of racism, but I think that many people do not view it this way. It does not matter however how others view it only what the person who is displaying it is meaning by the viewing. If to you the confederate flag means heritage and the southern tradition then I feel you have the right to symbolize those beliefs. If to you the confederate flag means hatred and racism you as well have a right to show your ideals. An individual should have the right to say what they would like to say, but only at times that are appropriate. I know that I am walking the line here, but I feel so strongly that we are missing out on some great conversation because we fear being marked by political correctness. We live in America for crying out loud!! I see only one race – the human race and we are all part of that race. We have all struggled in the past, but the past is over, learn from it and continue on forward. I understand that not all people agree with my beliefs and that is why there is a problem. This brings up the doctrine of freedom of speech. You have the right to say/symbolize whatever you would like until you infringe on the rights of another. I think that by displaying a flag, you are not infringing on the rights of another. There is no fundamental right against offensive behavior. If that were the case, there would be no symbols whatsoever because everyone would find something offensive.
This is not about the flag and it is not about racism, we live in a culture so afraid of the label politically incorrect that we may be missing the one thing that could end the hatred in the first place. It is a mindset, and a very dangerous one at that.
I am so sick and tired of hearing people complain about the Confederate Flag and what it supposedly stands for, the Civil war was not about slavery. And if African Americans find the Confederate Flag offensive then maybe they should also find the American flag offensive, it seems they in slavery under that flag also. Lets look a little further, more wrong doings and murders were done under the American flag than the Confederate. Lets talk offensive, I can't go to the store or sit in my own house without hearing somebodies damn stereo blaring rap music. I find this offensive, but where are my rights. I say wave that flag high and proud for the whole world to see. If it offends than maybe they need to get over it. Only somebody insecure would be offended by a flag.
Posted by christina on May 20, 2007 7:16 PMI very much like the Confederate flag even though I'm not an American. But I very much like it because it has in my mind a very strong symbolic measure of self confidence, grit, as well as pride in ones Anglo Saxon Heritage which he or she shares with the people of the south. After all, the Confederate Army's fight against overwhelming odds was the most glorious moment of Anglo Saxon history.
Posted by Bruce Taylor on May 22, 2007 9:40 PMWe have no reason for any African Flag to fly in this country. We do have reason for the confederate flag to fly anywhere in the south. The south was apart of America. Whats up. Why are the black ones so against it. They were sold by there own people in Africa. wow if I was sold by my own I am sure I would stand for that flag, and claim it as my heritage country HAHA. The Africans sold the black people for money get it. Some of the people in America bought them, get over it, the blacks that complain I would think should rejoice that they were born here otherwise they could be naked running in the jungles spreading aids and eating there brothers oh wait they are doing that here. I guess you can take them from the jungle but you cant take the jungle from them. The confederate flag should stand and stand readily accept as for what it is a symbol and a way of life that people believed in and fought for. Racism will always be here because a few people cry about it and demand special treatment. when they get it they want more and more human nature. Pretty soon the rest of us get tried of it and we will start fighting backk again. I am all for equality but hey the black communities get more freebies that the white communities more rights they can say nappy headed hos but we cant. Yea for a riot and demo lets take the south back love it or leave it
Posted by mrol on August 15, 2007 8:18 PM