This is a "red herring" to take attention away from the real problem. Yes, there is a subset of people that see that flag as a symbol of white supremacy and it is thus a symbol of racism and supremacist power, but that is only one reason to take down the flag from any place that implies the government supports this symbol. There is another reason that is really more sinister and dangerous.
SO what is this red herring covering up? Well, here are my thoughts based upon what I have heard as defense of the flag by the people I have seen on the media, mostly CNN and MSNBC concerning the subject.
What I have been hearing as a defense, at least the one that seems to get rebuffed the least, that the flag is a symbol of their heritage. I have seen countless statements that they are proud of their ancestors and their giving their lives by serving to fight against the United States of America. They honor these members of the Confederate Army, their relatives, that actually took up arms against the then duly elected leaders of the United States of America.
Well, I can understand that. I am proud of my heritage. I respect that my Great Grandfather left his homeland as a pacifist prior to WWI. He did not like where he was and what was happening politically so he left. I am proud of him and my grandfather who was also a pacifist and conscientious objector. I also respect my Father who served as a US Marine in WWII. The argument that the Rebel Flag symbolizes their respect to their ancestors ring true to all of us that have respect for their ancestors and they have a perfectly good right to see this flag in that manner, but here is the red herring.
They believe that what their forefathers did was their right, their duty and their obligation. What was it that their forefathers did? They tried to overturn the United States Government by force. That is pretty much the definition of the term "sedition" and it is forbidden by the Constitution of the United States of America. The flag has been used as a symbol of racism over the years. That is not in question. It has multiple functions. It symbolizes by use and convention to symbolize the opposition of integration. It has been used to symbolize states rights by the southern states and it supports the overthrow of the United States of America. Its that last one, the overthrow of the USA and the desire take our country (their country) back. Who asks "Take us back to what?" Not the news media that I have seen.
Racism is certainly a big factor in the symbolism of the CSA flag but it is not the ONLY thing is symbolizes. "The South Shall Rise Again!" is also one of the symbols of the flag. The right to cede from the union is also a symbol of the flag and lets not forget the right to own people.
IT is a secondary issue that it symbolizes racism and this is a red herring as it covers up the greater and more dangerous problem of those that worship the flag and will rally around it before they rally around the flag of the United States.
Should the flag be taken down because it symbolizes Racism?
Should it be taken down because it symbolizes the overthrow of the United States Government? (yes there is an argument that this is the same thing since President Obama is still Black)
Should it be taken down because it is a symbol that we should take our country back to the time prior to the Civil War and who knows how far back this sediment goes? Maybe they want to go back prior to the constitution being written.
The flag should be taken down. It is a symbol of nothing that is supportive of our nation in any positive way. What is the upside of any of the symbols that you choose to have concerning this flag? Is this flag respected because it symbolizes racism? Sedition? Taking out country back? Back to where? The slavery that was happening during the Civil War? Back to before the Civil Rights Movement?
Ask the question when you hear people talk about taking our country back, "Back to Where?"
When people say they respect their forefathers for having a revolution ask, "What exactly do you think of the outcome of the actions of your forefathers?"
This is the United States of America. Even in the South, there is no second Nation that exists in the USA! Some may think that every time something they disagree with is unfair that they have the right to bare arms against the country that allowed at least some of us to have an equal vote on any changes in the USA and what is allowed or not allowed. This is not what the Constitution says. Racism is certainly a reason to take down the flag, but if you hear an argument that it is because of Racism, you are a victim of the "red herring" argument that the Confederate Flag is a symbol of respect for their ancestors, well, you know you are being taken in by the con game going on.
Take the flag down, but don't lose sight of the bigger picture. The people that want to have it fly are really saying that they disagree with the results of elections, the ruling of the Supreme Court and constitution in general. Racism is a part, but only a small part of this picture. Don't lose sight of the symbol of taking down the United States.
There are more aspects of this discussion, but that is all I am putting in this entry to my diary. Please feel free to add comments and opinions and MOST IMPORTANT, Ask questions when people tell you they want to take our country back! We need discussion, but we need Fact Checking even more. Beware of red herrings, straw man responses and all of the misdirection and spinning that we are subjected to. Discussion of the wrong topic is destined to have no good end.
Thank you for reading.
LeZi