The South won.

[GaYellowDawg]

I saw a post earlier today that was titled "The South lost."

Wrong.

The South didn't lose. Bigotry did. Much of the rest of that post was actually something I agree with, but the title was wrong. The South didn't lose. The South won when that flag came down, and we won when the flagpole was removed, and we won when the barriers were removed. I wish they'd come out and jackhammered the concrete out.

Yes, there are plenty of idiots who are flying that stupid flag on pickup truck beds, but something has changed. When that symbol of racism and oppression comes off of official buildings, then something very important has happened; the official endorsement of that symbol has ended. Every single day that that flag flew over a government building was a day that the state said to its people, "Your racism is OK. Your prejudices are OK. Your ignorance is OK. You are supported." No longer. Did anyone see all the people in Columbia that looked like Honey Boo or Duck Dynasty relatives wailing about their flag coming down? They felt it. They know that the beginning of the end has come. They know that there will be a day when the Confederacy is consigned to the dustbin of history, when "Confederacy" and "South" are different terms for everyone. They know that the rhetoric and politics of hate will have to find a home that does not reside in racism. They don't like it, and they will fly their flags more than ever for a while, but most of us will see a day when those flags are quietly taken down, folded, and put away; a day when Southerners consider their display as one with Klan memorabilia - distasteful, shameful, and lunatic fringe.

Make no mistake. The South won. And when we start the next step - getting rid of the institutional racism and de facto segregation of our schools and neighborhoods - the rest of y'all can stop clucking your tongues, get to work on your own versions of those issues, and STFU about the South while you do.

[Man from Pickens]

1. FYI the North is more segregated than the South

Look at a racial map of northern cities vs. southern ones - there is no comparison, the southern ones are far more integrated. That's one myth that should be put to rest.

[safeinOhio]

7. Strange how that works

My parents would be well into their 100s if still alive today. Years ago I had a conversation with my father, who was born and raised in the deep south. My mother was from Kansas. Dad said at the time they got married in the 1930s, mom was all for equal rights for Black folks, but until the day she died she felt uncomfortable around other races. Dad said at the time he didn't feel Blacks should have equal rights, but he was always at ease around Black folks. He went on to get a Phd and evolved on equal rights. I got the best from each.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. Not uncommon in the least

It often comes down to simple familiarity.

What we understand on an intellectual level to be the right and just course of behavior will not magically release us from the instinctive unease we feel in environments that are unfamiliar to us. In such instances, practice - intentionally spending time with others who are not like us - may allow us to perfect the exercise of our intended way of being.

[the_sly_pig]

2. Meh...

At the risk of being flamed, I really don't care about the flag issue. Each area of our country has its issues. I'm sure there are very nice people in the South. I'm proud of our Minnesota Union regiments that helped to win the Civil War. I don't advertise my State was part of the Union force. I've got other things to proud of regarding my State.

What tires me is the acceptance that stupidity and ignorance is somehow a badge of honor. There are certainly racists in every State. There are stupid people in every State.

Visiting (former) relatives in Alabama in 1991 I was kiddingly called a Yankee. Well, those folks were "mostly" kidding.

I'm tired of so-called Christians using their faith to oppose social progress. I dislike religious people that think the creator of the universe acts like a psychotic teenager, vindictive and whimsical.

Also, I am sick and tired of religious, ignorant people making important decisions. If religious, ignorant people tend to congregate in certain areas of the country then lets call that being realistic with the knowledge that no State is untouched.

The pro-Walker citizens of Wisconsin, Michigan, NoDak and SoDak are a colossal disappointments. They are all Northern States.

Finally, IF those people that were actually eligible to vote, bothered to take the time to cast a ballot, I would imagine that our country's problems would soon dissipate. Since apathy is generally the law of the land, non-voters should just learn to deal with it. If you have a problem with the North or Midwest, lets get it off your chest.

[Scootaloo]

3. That's like saying japan won the war when its military dictatorship was forcibly disbanded.

if someone has to drag you, kicking, screaming, biting and clawing to a point of improvement, you can't really claim that as a victory for yourself, you know.

[Fumesucker]

5. How about the Japanese people, did they win or lose WWII?

The phrase "The South" does not mean the same thing to everyone, not by a long shot.

[GaYellowDawg]

8. No, it's not.

It's like saying that Japan won when they started willingly moving away from the Imperial mindset.

That flag in South Carolina didn't come down at the point of a gun. It came down because some southerners woke up, just a little, for a moment, and did the right thing at their own behest rather than under pressure from anyone else. There was no kicking, screaming, biting, or clawing. No guns. No National Guard. White, Republican, southern politicians helped lead the way in taking that flag down. That is progress, and it is a win.

[NuclearDem]

11. "White, Republican, southern politicians helped lead the way in taking that flag down."

150 years after the Confederacy surrendered and dissolved.

It came down because Haley has VP ambitions and one of the victims of the Charleston massacre was a state senator. I can guarantee you if this wasn't in the lead up to a presidential election, Haley would have fought this tooth and nail, and without the murder of their colleague, the SC legislature wouldn't have even bothered.

[GaYellowDawg]

12. It wouldn't be the first time that an event sparked change.

But you just go ahead and keep on thinking that all Southerners are completely evil and don't ever do anything unless it's in self-interest.

[frustrated_lefty]

4. You live in Dixie.

High five!

"And when we start the next step - getting rid of the institutional racism and de facto segregation of our schools and neighborhoods - the rest of y'all can stop clucking your tongues, get to work on your own versions of those issues, and STFU about the South while you do."

[LostOne4Ever]

6. South didn't win....we got stuck with all the neo confederate GOP idiots running the states (nt)

[lunatica]

10. maybe now the South and the North can build a bridge of patriotism for one country

We all must fight racism everywhere.

[GaYellowDawg]

13. I have my doubts about that, unfortunately.

If DU is any indication, then much of the rest of the country is a bunch of goddamn pricks who are determined to hate southerners for life, no matter what happens. Whatever happens in the south, we'll have to do it without the support of anyone else.

[lunatica]

14. You just need to remind people that it was SC legislature who took the Union Jack flag down

And that it's mostly white Southern men and women who voted for it.