I find it interesting how some people… and organizations… like to take on issues that are centered on the Confederate flag as a symbol and automatically call it a matter of “heritage defense.” Now, as the Confederate flag is concerned, I understand completely how it has come to represent different groups for different reasons. I’ve already written about the Confederate flag as a symbol with layers. Yet, when using the Confederate veteran as a foundation for “heritage defense,” just how many issues, exactly, are really in the best interest of the memory of the Confederate veterans?
A Confederate flag on a lunchbox, a bumpersticker, a dress… all are perceived by some as representative of “Southern heritage,” but are these instances really a reflection of “Southern heritage” as a whole? Bouncing back to my post on “Perspectives,” I would argue that it is not necessarily so. Even more importantly, are such things representative of the Confederate veteran, considering the context in which the symbol is used? How often will certain groups, organized in the name of Confederate veterans, cry out against “heritage violations” in the name of the Confederate veteran when the person who sports the sticker or symbol on the shirt isn’t even aware of the connection to Confederate veterans and sees the symbol strictly (and incorrectly, of course) as a symbol of either the South (as a whole) or “rebellion against the man?” Is it with purposeful intent that the sayings “heritage defense” or “heritage violations” are broadly defined by those who use these phrases just to rally more support behind their “heritage battle?” Sounds to me like a dangerous and/or careless practice considering the many meanings behind the flag, and especially the living memory of the flag as a painful symbol from the era of segregation.
JosephineSouthern
November 7, 2008
Will there be a place for us, the Confederate Southern American? Will the NAACP stop their relentless hate mongering of our beloved Confederate Battle Flag?
Will the school system stop blaming the South and spreading les of hate agout us?
When and if that day comes, I will support a black, purple, green president?
cenantua
November 7, 2008
“JosephineSouthern,” I wonder why you didn’t say anything about white presidents (within the last 30 years) and their lack of support for the Confederate flag. Considering this, did you even vote in the recent election since neither of the two major candidates praised the Confederate flag?
In any case, considering the manner in which you worded your comment, if you intend to make any additional comments on this blog, they will be carefully monitored, and deleted if I find such action necessary. I am reluctant to even allow this, actually your second comment on this site.
Otherwise, this isn’t exactly what I was looking for in a response to this post. Nonetheless, so, “lying and spreading lies about ‘us?’” Pray tell, who, exactly, is “us?” Do you make the presumption that it is “Southern Americans?” If not, is it “descendants of Confederate soldiers?” Since you brought it up, and since the Confederacy no longer exists, in terms of today, a “Confederate Southern American” or a “Confederate Patriot” is neither, as the Confederacy, as it existed in the United States, closed its doors over 145 years ago. Certainly, one can be a citizen of the United States, be from the South, and have Southern ancestors (some of whom were Confederate soldiers), but if a select group within this population considered themselves, even in spirit, “Confederate Southern Americans” or “Confederate Patriots,” perhaps we should take another look at the post in which I quoted William Hewitt. Thankfully, your comments are not representative of the many, many descendants of Confederate soldiers (or even a defined majority) who are around today, or Hewitt’s concerns would, without question, be justified. Still, perhaps we should be concerned about even the smallest groupings. Be sure to keep the “right or privilege” thing in mind.
The “moonlight and magnolias” beliefs about the Confederacy are obvious in your comments here, as well as those you make in the Southern Unionists discussion groups (and I have no idea why you even bother being in those groups considering your position). I discourage the use of rose-colored glasses when examining the Confederacy OR the Union as the story is far more complex. No matter the “side,” no honor is done to the people of the past when they are so narrowly defined.