Is it possible to agree to disagree

[Bandit]

I believe there are many people in the South (and elsewhere) who only equate the Confederate Flag with being a Rebel. They don't see it as a racist thing. I realize there are many, especially blacks and liberals who see it as nothing but racist. I would venture to guess there are many college kids who use the flag just to show rebellion. They probably don't have a racist bone in their body but get extremely offended when they are labeled as such because they want to be known as a rebel. I am opposed to any form of government flying the confederate flag on government property because it is very offensive to many. However I think we need to lighten up a little on ordinary Americans who aren't KKK but are a little rebellious. I also would venture to guess that the majority of people who place the flag on their vehicles are not liberals (per se). One major tenet of liberalism is consideration of others and I find someone having the flag in plain view as someone who is not considerate of others. I don't think these people are necessarily bad people and I think we have much in common with them on most other issues. I think Dean is correct in that we need to try and reach these people and not be so condescending. I hate racism in all forms but in this particular case there are two sides of the story. We don't have to accept the flag to accept some of the people who are to inconsiderate to know better. We can teach them but not by condemnation.

[Khephra]

1. I agree

:toast:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. i would say the confederate flag

is most often used, not so much for rebellion, but to be racist. I live in the south and see them all the time. I can see where Dean was coming from, and i think its an interesting approach. He thinks the confederate flag is kind of a quaint thing, a rebellious southern vestige. Actually, it generally means "i know little about the history or the rationale behind the civil war, but I'm going to put this sticker on my chruuuck to remind black people that this war ain't over yet".

[Hep]

3. People in the south are proud of their heritage

It's a real shame that they chose such a divisive symbol to represent it.

At the NC state fair, the R party people were giving out Confederate Flag stickers. Basically just slapping them on people. It's done partly to get us shouting at them and partly to show a true feeling for southern heritage. Forget that there were NUMEROUS different flags the represented southern culture and heritage. The confederate flag as we know it is the BATTLE FLAG.

But yes, it is a source of pride for a lot of people who don't have racist bones in their bodies. It's a shame, but there you go.

[Rowdyboy]

4. You're correct but prepare top be flamed....

Because you probably will be. Some people have the mindset that southerner=confederate flag=racist white bastards.

Good luck trying to get a serious response here.

[Bandit]

5. Good luck trying to get a serious response here.

I hope you are wrong but I suspect different.

[DrWeird]

6. I disagree.

It's like saying waving the swastika is about celebrating your german heritage and equate it with hard work and effiiciency.

[Frangible]

7. Godwin's law

And a bad analogy.

[DrWeird]

8. How is it a bad analogy?

There's a lot in common between the confederacy and nazi germany.

[libertad]

10. DrW is correct. It is a good analogy. Both symbols

represent hatred for a group or groups of people and promote the idea that one group is superior to others.

[mandyky]

9. I agree

While I think people should be able to have the flag on private property, I am not sure about government and public property display.
As for changing state flags, I do believe the people of a state should decide.

[library_max]

11. Also, please don't forget that everyone is racist.

It's just a question of degree, of acknowledging it, and of not letting it control you.