Confederate Flag as Divisive Symbol for Many Americans - Report Example

The Confederate Flag The Confederate Flag Goes Here al Affiliation Goes The Confederate Flag Introduction One of the most controversial symbols in the United States is the Confederate Flag. It is one of the last symbols of the Confederate States of America, a long gone government that lost its bid for secession from the Union. The Confederate Flag has much meaning to many different people. For some the flag represents their heritage as southern descendents of those who fought with the flag as their standard. To others it represents oppression and degradation. And, to more people it represents the outward expression of allegiance to prejudicial thoughts and beliefs. To many the flag represents the dehumanization of a specific class of people. The Flag as a Standard. To many in the United States the Confederate Flag is a connection with their ancestors who fought under the flag during the Civil War. The flag was carried by confederate troops as they went into battle. Many fought, and died, under their standard. For the descendents “the Rebel flag symbolizes Southern heritage and valor” (Cummings, 2002). Many descendents insist that the flag represents the fight for “constitutional liberties and state’s rights” (Currier, 2005). These descendents believe that the flag represents more than slavery. It represents a period in history that their ancestors actively participated in. Today’s fliers of the flag want that connection. It is not uncommon to find the Confederate flag flown at Confederate cemeteries and it “seems perfectly reasonable because the soldiers buried in Higginsville (a Confederate cemetery) fought and died under the Southern Cross” (Currier, 2005). In the 1880’s the Confederate flag regained popularity when members of “The Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy sought to preserve the flag’s heritage by flying it in commemorative ceremonies” (Currier, 2005). Again, this is an example of the flag being used to maintain a connection with ancestors who fought in the Civil War. The Confederacy, and the flag, are part of their heritage as well. The Confederacy did fall to the Union. We can’t erase that from our history. It is part of the history we pass on to our children. It is only when the flag is misused that its history is marred with hatred. Interestingly, the “NAACP does not oppose Americans who want to honor their Confederate ancestors” (Currier, 2005). This same group does oppose the flying of the flag at Confederate cemeteries because they believe that any “use of the flag is an endorsement of an emblem of white resistance to black achievement, freedom, and equality” (Currier, 2005). The Flag as a Symbol of Hatred Those who proudly fly the Confederate flag include those who share a hatred for anyone who is black, Asian, or Jewish. This hatred has reared its ugly head in the form of the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacy groups, and those who have used the flag to promote hatred toward others. This hatred is felt more often in the southern regions of the United States but does appear in the Northern regions as well. For many, the Confederate flag represents “slavery, racism, and lynchings” (Cummings, 2002). It is not uncommon to see Confederate flags flying on private property in the American countryside. So long as the American flag flies above the Confederate flag it can be flown without consequences. That same flag can be found in the windows and bumpers of many pickup trucks across the country. In the old show “The Dukes of Hazard” their vehicle (The General Lee) had a rooftop Confederate Flag on it. The Confederate flag issue has shown up in political referendums in the south. In 2002 the Rebel flag was voted to remain a part of Mississippi’s state flag (Cummings, 2002). Despite the loss those who support the removal of the Confederate flag from the state flag vow to do whatever it takes to get the Confederate flag removed from the state flag. But, most in Mississippi chose to retain the state flag that incorporates the Confederate flag. The Florida state flag also incorporates the Confederate flag by allowing the red bars to remain. Figure 1 Mississippi State Flag Figure 2 Florida State Flag According to Jerry Patterson, a descendent of a Confederate corporal and a current Texas Land Commissioner, “we had this terrible practice, this indefensible practice,” he said and he agrees “that government displays of the Confederate battle flag are inappropriate, given its close association with the Ku Klux Klan and other racist groups” (Witt, 2007). He likened the display of the Confederate flag to the display of the Nazi flag. All would agree that display of the Nazi flag is inappropriate and, although many Germans share the heritage of Nazism, they don’t glorify or fly that flag. It should be noted that some white supremacy groups fly both the Confederate flag and the Nazi flag. To be sure, those who fly the Confederate flag, paste it to their bumper, or stick it in the rear window of their pickup truck belong to a brotherhood that endorses hate and racism. Despite the United State’s attempts to outlaw the flag it still remains as a symbol of hatred and racism. The Flag’s Positive Attributes Is there any way that the Confederate flag can lose it’s negative image? There are those who argue that the Confederate flag has positive attributes. It’s hard to believe that it’s possible that the flag could have positive attributes. Although slavery was a part of the Confederate cause so was representation. Many southerners felt underrepresented and felt that secession and confederacy was the solution. The Confederate flag represented the secession (from the Union) and the Confederation of southern states. The Civil war was fought to keep the Union together. As part of the Union’s attempt to keep the country together they attacked fundamental aspects of southern culture (slavery). Many southerners look at the Confederate flag and feel a sense of pride. They are not connected with those who use the flag to identify themselves as hate mongers, racists, and white supremacists. George Hicks, of the National Civil War Museum, says the “Confederate flag is one of the most misunderstood, abused icon in American History” (Currier, 2005). He credits this misunderstanding to what is taught in American classrooms and what carriers over into adulthood. Hicks believes that the problem lies in communication, or lack of it. The Civil War was the result of a communications breakdown. Hicks also believes that the Confederate flag has its place in Confederate graveyards where Confederate soldiers lie. In addition to the belief that these soldiers were defending their homes, they were defending their belief in the Confederacy. The main problem with flying the Confederate flag is that no one knows why the owner is flying it. Is it being flown to express personal pride in being a descendant of a Confederate soldier or is it being flown to express the connection with a brotherhood of racists and hate mongers? Hicks believes that “the difficulty is, this whole subject of the American Civil War and the Battle symbols have become so charged with emotion that people don’t communicate…and that’s what caused the war” (Currier, 2005) Conclusion The Confederate flag is an American symbol that has both positive and negative connotations. Most Americans view the Confederate flag as a negative aspect of American society. The Confederate flag is most associated with racism, hatred, and oppression. It is this negative connotation that has many arguing to get the flag removed from their state’s flag. The Confederate flag is part of Mississippi’s and Florida’s state flag. Mississippi voters chose to keep the Confederate flag as part of their state flag. The same happened in Florida where voters chose to keep the red crossed bars borrowed from the Confederate flag. The Confederate flag is seen as a positive representation of the Confederate heritage that many southerners share. It was this flag that many of their ancestors carried into battle and fought under. Although the Confederacy fell, those who fought carried the flag with pride. It is because of this that many believe that the Confederate flag should be flown at Confederate cemeteries. Unfortunately today the Confederate flag is most associated with negative attributes. Many white young men place the Confederate flag on the bumpers of their trucks to publicly announce their racism and belief in the inferiority of other races such as African Americans, Asians, and Jews. Flying the Confederate flag announces the connection with a racist brotherhood. The many arguments about the Confederate flag are persuasive but it is it’s association with the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacists, and hate mongers that give it a bad reputation. References American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Cummings, M. (n.d.). Rebel flag flies at the center of a new war over symbolism. Sun Herald, The (Biloxi, MS), Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Newspaper Source database. Currier, J. (2005, June 10). Confederate flag still divisive symbol for many Americans. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Newspaper Source database. Dispute flares over flag. (2000, February 9). News for You, Retrieved November 11, 2007, from Middle Search Plus database. Witt, Howard. (2007). War Icons Conjure Up a Bitter Past. Chicago Tribune (IL) February 11, 2007. Chicago Tribune Company. Retrieved November 12, 2007 From NewsBank, America’s Newspapers. Read More