Look, guys, I just offer a different perspective on things, one that I doubt many of you, if any at all, had the chance to experience. You can like my take on things, or not.

It is upstate NY, guys. Ever been there? Might as well divorce it from NYC and rename it “North Texas” or something… that’s kinda what they want, anyway. Not that anyone up here would be taken by a real Southerner, probably, but there’s a massive population of stupids in this state. It is really mind-boggling.

And yes, in a lot of NY’s rural towns, you can usually find at least one rebel flag. The last place I lived in had ‘em, though I can’t see why, given the town’s colorful Irish and Italian immigrant history. The KKK in Hornell, NY was thrown out by an angry mob of Catholics (a way long time ago). Must be they missed a few. *shrug*

Comment by bob lahblah — October 30, 2007 @ 11:38 am

In the 4 years I was there, one black kid attended. He was there for 2 years, as I recall.

Imagine that…1 black kid among 1299 white kids. My gosh, combined with our obvious love of hatred and racism and treason symbolized by our display of the Confederate flag, it’s a wonder he survived the first day of school.

It was just the opposite. I had a drafting class with this kid. Nobody ever gave him any trouble. No one hung any nooses around the school or outside in the trees. Everyone treated him with respect, and in reality, being the only black kid, many of the other students treated him as if he were a celebrity.

Comment by Marcus Aurelius — October 30, 2007 @ 11:29 am

Sorry, but the flag does mean different things to different people.

If today’s Native Americans banded together and demanded that the American flag be replaced because they viewed it as a symbol of a nation and a government that oppressed and murdered their ancestors, simply because the white man saw himself as the superior race and felt he had a right to steal their land, would you agree to that? And if your answer is “Oh, that’s different,” then HOW is it different?

What if the KKK had adopted the American flag as it’s symbol instead of the Stars and Bars? Would you view Old Glory as a symbol of hatred and racism? Would you still deny that a flag can mean different things to different people?

I also guess my high school and its 1300 students per year, as well as the staff and administration, and the members of the county school board, were some of the most rude people around and some of the biggest dicks (the females surely would get a kick out of that). I suppose if we got rid of the flag yet kept the Rebel mascot, all decked out in his Confederate uniform and displayed inside and outside the school, nothing would change, so he’ll have to go, too.

We also have in our area many Confederate battle and encampment re-enactments in our area on a yearly basis. Should these be banned? After all, they glorify and remind people of the hatred and racism and treason that was rampant in this part of the country that occurred over 200 years ago. What’s ironic is that our area of TN was pro-Union, so it’s probably a miracle that these re-enactments are allowed to occur at all.

And in case you are wondering, there are many black people among our population. But here’s the difference: a majority of people in our community have been able to move beyond the past. People here realize that the choice to display the Confederate flag in our school was NOT an affront to them, it is not an attempt to embarrass anyone in our community, that there was no maliciousness involved.

Sorry excuse of a patriotic American to hang on to and espouse antithetical beliefs. Such is the symbol of the Confederate flag. It has long ago, been determined that the Confederate flag IS NOT an American symbol of Freedom. Yet look at Cheney today.

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Comment by TCDon — October 30, 2007 @ 9:55 am

TCDon routinely mistakes us for people who give a shit what he thinks.

Comment by Shayne — October 30, 2007 @ 11:48 am

Basically changing nothing.

Comment by Bad Eye — October 30, 2007 @ 10:45 am

I agree that it’s unfair to label all displayers of the Confederate flag as racists. I’m sure many people who use the flag do so as an expression of pride in their Southern heritage.

As a resident of the South, I wish people would find some other way to express their pride. The South has so many things going for it — why in the world do people need to use such an antiquated and divisive symbol? It’s not like this flag has a long and rich history of flying over the South. It was only active for less than four years.

I “get” that there are people who see this flag as part of their heritage — with no negative connotations. And if they are using it to commemorate ancestors lost in the Civil War, that seems logical.

However, there are many people who see this flag as a symbol of rebellion, violence, racism, treason, and hatred. Just as we see the Nazi swastika. The fact that the Confederate flag has been co-opted by white supremacist groups and the “when they pry my cold dead fingers” crowd doesn’t do anything to make its use more acceptable.

This flag belongs in museums, as it’s definitely part of our country’s history. But it has become an inappropriate symbol of pride, and should not be used as such.

So do nooses.