The Confederate Flag Analysis

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The Confederate Flag has long been a point of contention in the United States. Earlier this year, in the first half of 2015, the issue was one again brought into the public limelight. This time in the great state of South Carolina, where the Confederate flag has flown over the state capital building for many generations. The issue was brought by a group of citizens that petitioned the state government to remove the flag, because they viewed it as a symbol of hatred from a time gone by. The proposal to remove the flag was met with staunch opposition, from those who feel that the flag is a representative of their southern heritage. To begin to explore the question of what the flag represents, we must first examine why people feel so strongly …show more content…

This time by groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, who perhaps selected the banner based from a misconceived notion that it was a representation of slavery, and oppression. As years went on additional groups spreading hatred, such as the Aryan nation, and Neo Nazis began flying the Confederate flag as part of their activities. Interestingly, these same groups will also display the current American flag alongside the Confederate flag, and the Ku Klux Klan is known for burning crosses as a means to instill terror into the minds of those who oppose their views. Yet, there is no movement to eliminate the display of the American flag, or the display, or wearing of a cross which a religious symbol to millions across the world from a wide variety of …show more content…

But that’s of course not the goal. Rather, we use history to understand our nation in all its complexity — acknowledging uncomfortable realities and learning difficult truths. For white southerners — especially those with deep roots in the South — those difficult truths are presented front and center throughout our lives. Yes, the South seceded in large part to preserve slavery. Yes, had the South prevailed, slavery not only would have been preserved for the indefinite future, it may have even spread to new nations and territories. And no, while some southerners were kinder than others, there was nothing “humane” about the fundamental institution of slavery itself. As Coates and others have often and eloquently explained, it was a system built on plunder and pain."

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