Confederate Flag Fight Rises Again in High School

WVLT-TV, Knoxville, Tennessee ^ | 1/17/06 | Stephen McLamb

[NC28203]

>>>The "rebel flags" that are probably being worn here are a political statement as much as a rainbow.

But if their statement is about heritage, shouldn't these kids be wearing their state flag instead of the "rebel flag". After all, the Confederate soldiers were fighting for the cause of states rights.

[OldCorps]

any pictures?

[NJ_gent]

"It's too bad that it seems like many of the kids are ignorant of the proud history of their home county."

Even at 4:1 against, that leaves a great deal of Confederate support. That their ancestors' views were in the local minority doesn't change the fact that the views were held and that support was far higher throughout the rest of the state. It seems that some would like to narrow the scope from which "heritage" can be drawn such that it suits their interests. I was born in Virginia. Were there Union supporters in Virginia? Sure. Was the county, town, or 1-square block radius where I was born pro-Union? I have no idea. What I do know is that my state was a member of the Confederate States of America, and that it held the Capital of that nation. That is my heritage, and that is what I choose to celebrate; not what 3 people down the block voted for 150 years ago.

[WKB]

ping

[NJ_gent]

"it is a political statement against government tyranny."

You may be one of three people left in the country who understands what that means, but God bless you for trying.

[Froufrou]

I think we're supposed to believe in a Democrat state this wouldn't happen because we'd all be "free" to express ourselves all over each other...

[lionheart 247365]

The Confederate flag which so many people protest was not even around when SLAVERY began in this country .

Wrong flag !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ktvaughn]

Um, Right, but wasn't it the flag of the KKK? I think everybody's got a right to wear what they want, but let's not kid ourselves about what it means. If they want the heritage flag, get the CSA flag. Guess it's not as cool-looking.

[detsaoT]

KKK Rally, Montpelier, 1927.

The use of the "Rebel" flag by the Klan is an invention of the Hollywood propaganda machine.

[detsaoT]

The KKK's march on Washington, at the height of its power in the 1920's.

[ktvaughn]

Hmm--I did not know that!

[NJ_gent]

"My experience with the Confederate Flag folks has indicated to me that they are either young (uneducated), old (uneducated), poor (uneducated), or racist."

Ok, I'm none of those things. Let's add a new category so that I can fit into your grouping: educated middle-class.

"Also, they prefer to travel in groups or be surrounded by like minded 'flaggers'."

I don't carry any flag of any kind with me when I travel, but I do fly my American and Confederate flags at all times, except immediately after September 11th, when I chose to put away the latter for about a month. I'm currently living in New Jersey. I'll let you ponder for a moment just how many others there are near me flying Confederate flags. I'm not in anyone's face about it, and I get along great with all my neighbors. Only one has remarked about the flag (my neighbor across the street from me), saying he wants one too.

"I wonder what they would do if someone were to tattoo a Rebel Flag on their forehead?"

You mean against their will? I don't know; what would you do?

"I'm a big supporter of Free Speech, even if it is offensive. Wearing the shirt is such a lame statement as they are usually dirty and/or in poor condition (fashion?). I really like the idea of a more permanent mark, sort of like making the Jews wear the yellow star. This way, the 'Rebels' could display their pride more easily and frequently, and they couldn't hide by changing clothes."

So you're a supporter of free speech who wants to brand people with a mark, similar to what was done to Jews in the 1930s in a little country called Germany? Also, I find your comment regarding the clothes of rebel supporters being dirty to be pretty far off the mark. That may be true if you go into poor areas, but then, that tends to be a feature of such areas regardless of where you go or what's on the clothes they're wearing.

You're essentially calling everyone who supports the Confederate States of America stupid, filthy, poor, and racist. You've just flamed a great deal of folks on this site who are nothing like what you've described. The illogical ranting and personal nature of the attacks show that your arguments lack merit to stand on their own.

[NJ_gent]

"if their statement is about heritage, shouldn't these kids be wearing their state flag instead of the "rebel flag". After all, the Confederate soldiers were fighting for the cause of states rights."

The Confederacy, as a whole, fought for the rights of its member states to choose their own destiny. All the individual states did was quit the old union and join the new one. Wearing the state flag has little to no meaning. The Confederate flag, on the other hand, memorializes the union of states that banded together; a union which no longer exists.

[detsaoT]

Most people accept Hollywood's version of the story at face value....

Modern "klan" and "neo-nazi" groups do indeed use the Battle Flag as their symbol, but this is something which was inspired by the dramatic Hollywood films about the Klan from the late '60s and early '70s. Needless to say, Hollywood had a reputation for "embellishing" stories of the Klan's activities even that far back.

(Keep in mind that I am not suggesting that Bobby "Sheets" Bird's social club was all that honorable...)

[SittinYonder]

Maybe you should stop hanging out with uneducated people. It's rubbing off.

[OldSmaj]

Oh, they are also self described "whites".

What, it ain't PC to describe oneself as "white" anymore?

Should I find someone else to stand on the sidelines and describe me as white, therefore removing my ego from the equation?

Okay, then I'll try it your way: "Somebody told me I am a white man who has no problem with displays of the Confederate Battle Flag and Naval Jack or the Bonnie Blue, as well as the Flag of the United States."

Guess I'm now a racist, since I obviously can't "feel their pain", whatever that means and I've known for over 50 years that I am white. And it generates no guilt in me whatever.

But the blood my ancestors shed for the defense of the Confederate Flag (rightly or wrongly) is the same color as the blood I shed for the Flag of the United States. And I have had a moment or two of wondering if that was for the right reasons, also.

Oh, yeah, I assure you, I'm very well educated, but I don't travel in the company of like minded "flaggers" or at least I don't think I do; but then, I have no idea what a "flagger" is.

I wonder what they would do if someone were to tattoo a Rebel Flag on their forehead?

Well, most likely there would be one hell of an ass-whooping if someone tried.

And just what does a festering sewer-hole like Oakland got to do with anything?

My experience with the Confederate Flag folks...

It appears your experience may be just a little limited.

[puroresu]

####I did not know that!####


But the Political Correctness stormtroopers do. Once Confederate symbols are banned and declared to be the evil representation of slavery and racism, attention will be turned to banishing the U.S. Flag, the Bill of Rights, renaming the city of Washington, purging Jefferson, Madison, Columbus, etc.

That's our future circa 2025 unless this PC nonsense is stopped now.

[youthgonewild]

I can't believe so many Southerners still want to defend the right for their kids to wear the flag of the treasonous Confederacy to school. How can one call oneself an American patriot and wave that flag? Waving that flag to show Southern heritage is no better than waving a Soviet flag to show ones Russian heritage.

[DaoPian]

Actually I meant voluntary tattooing. You see, then they wouldn't be subject to a 'dress code' and it would really push the envelope regarding Free Speech. I'm not surprised to find 'Confederates' in NJ, I live in way Upstate NY and there are even some around here that display the Rebel Flag. My categories do reflect my experience with these folks. I think the claim of 'heritage' here is pretty weak as these people probably couldn't remember past one generation anyway. I think it is more of a "Hey, I'm a Redneck" type of pride.

The laws of probability would likely prove my educational assumption, but I'll admit that my analysis lacks objective measures. Also, there is nothing wrong with being dirty or a racist. Even being stupid is fine with me. Sometimes I think I'm a racist since I do notice people's race and make assumptions based on their color, appearance, and behavior. I would never make a normative judgement until evidence is presented. You Confederate Flaggers sure get defensive, I thought this was something you'd do irregardless of what others think?