The confederate flag is immediately recognizable in the back window of a pickup truck or portrayed on the t-shirt for Lynrd Skynrd and Credence Clearwater, but has come under stark criticism. The argument is a multi-faceted assault, by, both restricting first amendment rights of free speech, restricting a symbol of southern heritage, and a person’s right not to feel threatened by an assumed racist epithet. It is a simple piece of fabric, the red and blue Southern Cross, which divides a nation much as it did 150 years ago when it symbolized the fight against oppressive laws. Many believe that the Confederate Flag is representative of the patriots who were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation and individual rights the founding fathers envisioned, however today, liberals and minorities have made the claim, the confederate flag is racist rather than a simple symbol of southern pride. …show more content…
The first Confederate Flag used in the Civil war was reminiscent of the Betsy Ross flag, stars in the corner and red and blue stripes in the field, however, this flag only lasted one year due to this resemblance. After Stonewall Jackson’s death the battle flag (Confederate Flag) was draped over his coffin as he lay in wait which earned the flag its historic significance and became a symbol of Southern pride. Subsequent versions of the next two confederate flags incorporated the Virginian Battle Flag, by, placing the Virginia battle flag in the corner and making the field white, and then adding a red stripe to the end of the field, so as not confuse the new flag as a white flag of surrender. Never recognized as an official Civil War symbol, the Virginian Battle Flag, historically, holds a significant place in the
Accordingly, at the end of 1861 the Army of Northern Virginia adopted a (square) battle flag based on a design that had initially been rejected for the First Confederate flag and was distinct from that of the United States flag: a red field with a white-bordered dark blue saltire, the latter again bearing white stars equal in number to the number of states in the Confederacy. This banner (which became known as the "Southern Cross") was also later used in its more familiar rectangular form as the battle flag of the Army of Tennessee, and (with a lighter blue saltire) as the Second Confederate Navy Jack from 1863
A symbol’s meaning is rooted in its perception and that perception is shaped over time and defined by what a person experiences throughout life. Because of this, a symbol’s meaning can also change over time. The Confederate flag, one of America’s most controversial symbols, has a long history. When the Confederate flag was first used post-Civil War, it typically accompanied some kind of Confederate memorial or monument dedication (Martinez, 2008).
The Civil War was fought over the controversy of slavery, the Union states against the Confederate states. The Confederate states created the “stars and bars” or “rebel flag” to represent them. The Confederate Flag was first flown on the state house of South Carolina to pronounce their secession from the union.
Miranda Wood B6 A recent mass shooting at a Charleston Church, where nine black worshippers were killed by a white man, has sparked even more debate about an old and controversial symbol: the Confederate battle flag. In his National Review Article, David French argues that the Confederate flag, though it should not be used as a symbol of white supremacy, should be remain in public for historical purposes. He claims that the reason the flag still hangs over Confederate cemeteries is to honor those who fought for the Confederacy, not to discriminate against African Americans.
Peter Holley from The Washington Post, wrote an article about an African American who is standing up and fighting for what she believes the true meaning of the Confederate battle flag stands for. Holley provides quotes stated from the woman in a number of interviews from other sources. In addition, Holley includes other citizen interviews as well as their personal opinion on the Confederate flag. Karen Copper an African American from New York City. Holley states how Copper shared that she was a member of the Virginia Flaggers, who are against the ideas of many American’s that the Confederate flag symbolizes only racism and hate.
Confederate Symbols—the subject of the white supremacists rally in Charlottesville, VA, and a counter protest in Durham, NC—should be banned in the United States. Many people argue that banning Confederate symbols would be considered a violation of the First Amendment; however, the author refutes this claim by saying that Confederate monuments are not a form of free speech and thus is not protected by the First Amendment. On why the Confederate symbols are very disturbing, the author says, “the racist ideologies behind [the Confederate flags] still pervade and control American society today, and the very existence of the flags and statutes is a slap in the face to all the progress American claims to have made where race is concerned.” This
Confederate Flag Racism or Heritage The Confederate flag was a significant item throughout history, but what it was significant for varies from person to person. To some the Confederate flag represents Southern heritage while to others it signifies racism. Either opinion could be considered true, but evidence shows that it is viewed more as a symbol of racism. From one stand point the Confederate flag was the battle flag for the Southern states during the Civil War, which was virtually over slavery, but the battle flag was a symbol that was changed multiple times throughout the war.
Next, the confederate flag should not be flown on government property, because it has conflicted history. The confederate army changed the flag 4 times during the war, so the flag flown today is not the original flag. That is not very traditional. The second confederate flag had a large white stripe that went halfway down the middle, which represented white supremacy. The rebel flag still represents white supremacy and racism, because it was the final battle flag used in the southern states’ fight to keep slavery.
The confederate flag was a sign of the confederate states and the fallen tributes in the war. The flag never ceased being the flag of the Confederate soldier and still today commands wide respect as a memorial to the Confederate soldier. African-American newspapers decried the flag’s popularity
Polls have been taken over a period of time only to receive similar percentages of answers. The percentage stays the very same over the years. Mainly, the outcome states that the flag represents southern pride mostly by over 50% every time, rather than the banner promoting racism. Originally born as a practical banner of the commanders of the Confederate Army in Virginia, the commanders of the south wanted a symbol to identify their cause and their troops to serve as their battle flag during the Civil War. After going through a few ideas they chose the first Confederacy`s National flag -The Stars and Bars- to serve as their battle symbol during the war.
On Friday morning, July 10, 2015, the Confederate battle flag which was home to South Carolina 's Capitol grounds was cast down after 54 years. The flag was taken to South Carolina 's Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. To many the flag was a banner of racial subjugation, and withheld a deeply painful meaning. The Confederate battle flag was designed to stick out, but it was never intended to be the political flag of the confederate states, although it was integrated into it over the course of the civil war. Today the battle flag consists of a blue St. Andrew 's cross with white stars on a red flag which was designed by politician William Porcher Miles, however it wasn 't always this way.
The Confederate flag was widely used in the The American Civil War 1861–1865, by southern states. The civil war was based on the abolishment of slavery; a war in which the south lost. The confederacy believed that slavery was a constitutional right. It is my opinion the confederate flag love and displaying is based
People have now associated the confederate flag with slavery but that is not the case it means the rebels. The confederate flag is a part of our history at one point in time it was our nation 's flag the it evolved into what we have today. The flag we know as the confederate flag was actually just the battle flag because the actual flag looked similar to the north flag it was created so they would not be confused in battle. Currently in Russia they are erecting statues of Joseph Stalin so as we are fighting to take down our history they are supporting their
The Confederate Flag was created in March 1861 to represent the Army. As a results, this flag has a strong meaning to the army and the American ancestors who have solid war
This loyalty was a significant characteristic of Southern Nationalism. The flag of the Confederacy was also another symbol of Southern Nationalism. “The Confederate government quickly became for the South, the successor to the federal government at Washington. A flag, the “ Stars and Bars,” was adopted for the new republic after a study by a committee that concluded that keeping the United States “Stars and Stripes” would be impractical and unpatriotic.” Southerners feared that white supremacy was in danger and feared slave rebellions.