What do you think about the Confederate flag?
362813
I think the confederate flag represents a terrible part of america's history and those who fly the stars and bars should be looked at as traitors.  The confederacy stood for slavery yes, but more importantly it stood for a government that ceceeded from the United States to become their own country.
670598
The Confederate Flag was flown for the Southern States during the time of the Civil War.  Black people fought for the South and well as for the North.  \n\nThis was a terrible event in history where many young men lost their lives to fight for what they believed in. \n\nThe history of America should not be erased because of the design on a piece of cloth. It is a rememberance of a time in history that was very devasting to all mankind. \n\nIf people would study their history they would find that a black man brought the blacks from Africa telling them of a better life in America and sold them for slaves and that a White man "Abraham Lincoln" freed them from slavery.\n\nThe Confederate Flag is not a symbol of Racism or hatred but a sign of our history and heritage.
1150165
Cut the Bigotry Bullshit. It's called a Rebel Flag for one reason. It symbolizes REBELION. DO NOT mistake a hand-ful of assholes for a symbol that can be used any number of 1000 ways. The flag is not evil, merely a select few that misuse it.
1154942
Many people believe that the only reason the Civil War was fought was because of slavery. In reality, though, the War's principal reason for starting was because many southerners did not agree that men who lived hundreds of miles away had the right to dictate their way of life (back then, the distance from D.C. to Georgia or South Carolina made them seem like seperate countries-no airplanes). To most people, the Confederate flag represents racism for that very reason. My great-great-great grandaddy died wearing a Confederate uniform, and by reading his journals, I understand why he chose to do so. My family never owned slaves-we were dirt poor in the 1800's-, but he honestly believed in states rights, and that a federal government had no right to decide what was right or wrong for him. I don't care that the South lost the war-it was almost 150 years ago! But like the great General Lee said of the men who served the Confederacy: They gave more than they were asked to give, and they gave it without complaint. That's enough for me-I'll always show respect to the Confederate flag, and honor the men who died under it, fighting for something they believed in.
612133
I couldn't agree with you more. Our country's flag is a symbol of our national pride and it represents a legacy of greatness, passed down to us from our ancestors and others who helped build the foundation for the way of life for which our country stands. When our flag is burned it is a slap in the face to all those who live here and to those who have served our country to protect our freedom and our land; it shows such an extreme anger, jealousy and hatred for that which we cherish. It is a direct message to the people of America, which says, " We hate you. We hate your way of life, your belief system, morals, your government-and we hate you!" \n\nWhat is terribly sad, is that there are those who call themselves Americans, who do this very thing.  If you're mad at your government, call or write your Congressman, Senator, or other elected officals....contact the media. In this day and age, where we seem to thrive on exposing every last detail of any and everything, there are plenty of outlets where one could better and more effectively channel their energy and possibly effect change, instead of being destructive, not only to our nation's symbol, but to those who represent it, the American people.To those people who are guilty of such a vile disregard for for our nation's flag, and for everything "for which it stands...one nation...Under GOD....for liberty...for all" - I remind you, if you don't love, honor and respect it....kindly leave it. I must tell you, you'll be hard pressed to find better.
480078
To me, it signifies racism. It signifies ongoing support of the Southern Confederacy and the way of life for which they chose to fight, that of plantations living off the backs of slaves. It feels to me like the person flying it is sending the message that they still support the south (in reference to the Civil War, not just fond feelings of home...)and wish that the south would have won the war so that slavery could continue.  It signifies a smoldering resentment that AfroAmericans are now free to mingle in society. I'm sure plenty others will disagree, but that's what it signifies to me. By the way, I am white, if that affects how you interpret my response.
494081
The flag is nothing but cloth and dye.  It is a symbol that's all.  Too many people make too big of a deal about it.  It has almost become idolatry.  It is like skin color.\n\nInstead of blindly defending or attacking symbols lets get to the heart of the issues; America has some "growing up" to do.      America can be better than it is toady, we have room to grow and mature.  We are not the BEST country in the world, but that is OK because we have the potential to be the best (or more concisely; we have room to be our best). But to do this we must choose better leadership, in fact we must all learn to be leaders, we must educate ourselves, we must get wise, etc.\n\nWe have been acting like idiots, but that's OK because we are young, but now that we know our mistakes we must stop repeating them.\n\nWe have so much potential.  I can't wait till these tough days come to an end and we finally live up to the pride we have in our flag.
684686
There are some blacks who see the flag as what it is.. the former battle flag of the Confederate Army that represented States' Rights and opposition to the Federal government. It was not a symbol of racism until the Klan hijacked it. \n\nAlso, there are many blacks who are descendents of the handful of black soldiers that fought on the side of the confederacy.  There is also a huge biking movement in the black community and the flag is used by a lot of bikers.\n\nI do know that there are even black Sons of the Confederacy in Nashville.
88688
That is the rebel flag, which has a cross on it with stars. Usually used to represent the DEEP south. Most commonly found on the back of Ford or Chevy trucks.
1020698
I am sick and f*cking tired of black people playing the race card every time they don't like something or another that happens in their life. Get the hell over it already! I mean hell, when you think about it black people almost have MORE rights than white people do. How do you think it was that OJ got away with murder? And for another thing, I hate to break it to all the people who associate the confederacy with slavery, but guess what? There were people who had slaves up north, too! Not to mention that racism didn't stop at the southern half of the Mason Dixon line, as racism was once just as plentiful up north. But anyways to answer your question, like the other person said, the rebel flag is a piece of southern history, so as far as the states that were a part of the CSA I say let them have it. If black people can get reparations for the treatment of ancestors they probably wouldn't even care about if  it wasn't for the money, and that they never even had to experience personally,  then southern people should be able to still fly the rebel flag as a part of their history. So long story short (I know, too late) I would have to say that it is heritage, in just the same way that we have In God We Trust on our money even though so few people in this country believe in, let alone put their trust in God.
1041414
Yes, definitely. While my ancestors were British I don't think we need the Union Jack on the corner of the Aussie flag any more. \nPersonally I think it would be fine if they just took the Union Jack off and left it as the Southern Cross and Federation star on a blue background....
80002
I agree with the above poster,  that there are black and whites in the south who have that as something that represents "this is us this is a symbol of the south".\n\nI think some people use it to denote their membership in white supremecist groups.\n\nFrom the perspective of the pride thing it's no different than when people whose ancestors are from Ireland having the Irish flag.  While southerners or Irish Americans love America there is still like you said, a pride in that from which we came.\n\nSo in essense, outside of the racist thing, it just means this was where we came from at a time and place, and our ancestors were part of that group of people.
394408
As a hispanic I do find offense to it, not necessarily because of what it represents but because of the misinterpretation that it causes. It does cause some confusion to some...I mean why would a person who wants to become a U.S. citizen still have strong nationalism for the country that they wish to escape the hardships of? But from another perspective I believe that the Mexican flag provides comfort and familiarity to those that are on this journey. I think they should wave both.
231625
I think the law that is set in place regarding burning the flag is appropriate. I think it is a very disrespectful act to a country who does alot for it's citizens dispite the credit it gets. The flag represent the land and principals, it should not be burned because you disagree with certain laws or happen to not like the president of time... The flag represents our history and our future and should be respected.... just as every country's flag should be respected.....
921260
When exactly have liberals been burning the flag in say the last two decades? They haven't.  Personally, I don't care if you light one with the other.  They are symbols nothing more and nothing less.
1028520
The fact is the Confederate flag was first used as a battle flag during the civil war it was a symbol for pride of the south. In the 1960's however the flag was used in a derogatory manner to pretty mush bash African Americans during the civil rights movement, people would wave the flag and shout racial slurs to African Americans.......Now days you  get those people who want to use the flag  to show their pride of the south but of course you will find those idiots (here in pa we have the dumb hicks who ride around in their pickup trucks waving the Confederate flag and the funny thing most of these idiots never even been to the south, have ancestors from the south or can even name one general in the civil war.)  My point is dont be bothered by their ignorance simply look the other way as if that flag has absolutely no meaning to you if you let it get to you then pretty much your letting those ignorant ones get the best of you and no flag should be able to do that.........To me the flag only has meaning if you let it to me its just another flag.....
295051
Because people spilled their blood for it, to protect their family and homes.  During the Civil War, both the Union and Confederate soldiers had the highest rate of mortality among the color bearer's.  When they charged a positions, they never let the colors fall, a man always threw down his musket to pick up the flag.  You don't see that kind of honor or respect for the flag today.