Dear digitalb3-ga;
Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question.
There were many “Confederate Flags”. The “stars and bars” flag you
mentioned (but are not actually referring to) was the first flag of
the Confederacy. While this was the official flag of the Confederacy
from March 1861 to May of 1863 it is very rarely seen. In fact, most
people today don’t even realize it ever existed. There were three
horizontal alternating red and white stripes (bars) and seven white
stars in a field of blue, representing the original Confederate
States; South Carolina (December 20, 1860), Mississippi (January 9,
1861), Florida (January 10,1861), Alabama (January 11, 1861), Georgia
(January 19, 1861), Louisiana (January 26, 1861), and Texas (February
1, 1861). This was the flag that was actually known as “stars and
bars”.
http://www.usflag.org/historical/stars.bars.gif
The most widely known Confederate flag of the time was the Confederate
battle flag known as the “Southern Cross”. This symbol consisted of
two opposing blue diagonal stripes (forming an “X”) upon which 13
white stars appear. The Stars represented the 11 states actually in
the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri. The symbol was displayed
on a field of red.
http://www.usflag.org/historical/confed.battle.gif
Oddly enough, the flag that is most widely associated as a symbol of
the South is often mistakenly referred to as “the Southern Cross” even
by it’s diehard southern admirers, but the flag was actually the
“Confederate Navy Jack”, which was actually in use for a relatively
short time by the Confederate Navy. IN 1863 the “Southern Cross”
symbol was expanded to the entire width and length of the flag thereby
becoming the entire Confederate flag for that purpose.
http://www.usflag.org/historical/scross.gif
Images courtesy of FLAGS OF THE CONFEDERACY
http://www.usflag.org/confederate.stars.and.bars.html
To many in the South, the Confederate flag represents their heritage
and serves to recognize the former sovereignty of the South in spite
of it’s admitted defeat by the Union Government. The feeling of
loyalty to this heritage and regard for a soverign South has been
carried on for generations. To other however the flag, which does have
great historical relevance in it’s own right, should be displayed, if
for no other purpose, but in memory of the men who died in pursuit of
the ideals and values shared by a large portion of the country at the
time (regardless of today’s opinion of the “political correctness” of
those ideals and values).
As the SOUTHERN PARTY puts it: “the flag of Dixie stands as a powerful
symbol of opposition to the tyranny of the majority and centralized
government. This "politically incorrect" symbolism is something that
modern day liberals cannot tolerate - thus the campaign of
denigration. It has been the experience of the Southern Party that
those who strive to re-cast the Confederate flag as a "hate symbol"
are inevitably motivated either by historical ignorance or by pure,
unadulterated malice towards the South, its symbols, its heritage and
its people. The Southern Party steadfastly rejects the crass bigotry
that drives this ceaseless campaign of cultural genocide against the
revered, historic, symbols of Dixie's national sovereignty. We
rightly resent and resist the politically correct fascism that demands
that we acquiesce in the destruction of our own culture. Therefore,
we will continue to display Confederate flags - especially the 3rd
National Flag - and we will redouble our efforts to educate the public
as to the true history of the South and the authentic symbolism of our
venerable flag.”
SOUTHERN PARTY
http://www.southernparty2000.org/positions/no-hate.htm
While the flag certainly represents a tumultuous time in American
history, and the presence of it immediately conjures up images of war,
slavery, racism, ignorance and hatred among those who would quickly
accept it as such, few southerners view it this way in modern times.
Instead, to some, the flag symbolizes a set of moral qualities to
southerners such as courage, independence, defiance, the willingness
to fight against overwhelming odds, endure sacrifices, and resist
tyranny and aggression. It is literally a lasting identity and a
physical symbol of how a poor culture fought to overcome adversity –
not diversity, as many would actually like to believe. By and large,
however, the vast majority of southerners, of which I am one, have no
favorite political position on the matter and no emotional attachment
to the flag itself. As is evident by the controversy surrounding the
display of the flag in recent times most people could actually do with
the flag or without it with equal enthusiasm.
Obviously, there are certain elements of society that have “adopted”
the flag as a symbol of defiance – defiance of authority, defiance of
civil rights, defiance of political, ethical and moral standards, and
for many other anti-social purposes. The reasoning behind these
ill-conceived notions are as countless (and in some case as peculiar)
as the anti-social beliefs themselves and the explanations undoubtedly
vary from one person to another as widely as they do from one group to
another.
Realistically of course, my answer is by no means intended to defend
any particular position regarding the display of the Confederate flag,
nor is it meant to minimize the emotional impact such a display might
have on those who are genuinely offended by it. It is merely an
“answer” to your question as to why “some people” display it – and,
for better or worse, now you know.
I hope you find that that my research exceeds your expectations. If
you have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga
INFORMATION SOURCES
FLAGS OF THE CONFEDERACY
http://www.usflag.org/confederate.stars.and.bars.html
SOUTHERN PARTY
http://www.southernparty2000.org/positions/no-hate.htm
CONFEDERATE FLAG MEANS NOTHING BAD
http://www.delmarvanow.com/news/stories/20030409/opinion/83360.html
ONLINE NEWSHOUR
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june00/flag_5-29.html
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
"CONFEDERATE FLAG" "HATE GROUPS"
"CONFEDERATE FLAGS”
WHAT THE CONFEDERATE FLAG MEANS
MEANING CONFEDERATE FLAG
CONFEDERATE FLAG NATIONAL DEBATE
CONFEDERATE FLAG CONTROVERSY |
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