In the past couple of year, there has been a controversial battle over the flying of the Confederate Flag on government buildings. The controversy has really started to stir up in the southern states such as South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia. On January 30, 2001, the state of Georgia changed its flag, removing the large Confederate battle cross from the 1956 design and replacing it with the state seal of Georgia. Now, the state of Mississippi is the only state that fearlessly displays the Southern Cross in its state flag. Though several Southerners see the Confederate Flag as a symbol of southern pride and heritage, many others see the flag as a dishonorable reminder of slavery and segregation in the south. Although this flag is under great controversy in the southern states, there is no reason why this flag should fly from government buildings because it is demoralizes African Americans in the symbolization of slavery, segregation and domination and because it is used by many hate groups across the United States and the world. The Confederate Flag is a demoralizing symbol to many African Americans in the United States. To a number of African Americans, this flag is a symbol of slavery and the domination whites had over slaves during the time of the civil war. This flag is also a symbol of segregation between African Americans and whites in the south. African Americans feel that they have a right to fight for the banning of this flag from state government buildings. They argue that this flag should be banned because it represents bloodshed African Americans went through in slavery and it represents the exploitation of blacks, which is one of the most outrageous forms of oppression ever seen in United States' history. This flag is also a symbol of the White man's inconsideration of a person's feelings and sense of identity. Therefore, African Americans have good evidence to support their argument against the banning of the Confederate flag. When the Confederate flag is brought up in conversation, various Southerners will try to defend the fact that the flag stands for southern pride, heritage, and culture. Although these are all excellent ideas for which a flag should stand for, one must go deeper into who are the others who support this flag and for what reasons. Yes, it is obvious that many southerners support this flag, but so do the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups. The Ku Klux Klan was a group that was organized by ex-Confederate elements to oppose the Reconstruction policies of the radical Republican Congress and to maintain "white supremacy." Even though this flag brings out some good qualities of the south, one might not want to be associated with the excess baggage that comes with this flag. To know that an individual supports a flag that is also synonymous with the Ku Klux Klan and countless hate groups around the world, may be the trigger for people to have a change of heart in having this flag banned or displayed in another fashion where everyone is not effected.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
In the South, slavery played a prominent role in contributing to the economy, but more importantly they were abused by the whites and slave owners. The immoral treatment of the blacks and slaves is showcased by Lawrence A. Kuznar who claims that they were in “the era of Jim Crow disenfranchisement of blacks” (Source F) and subjected under “the system of violence and exploitation” (Source C). The violence and lack of voting privileges were all adverse conditions the slaves had to endure from the people of the Confederacy. The mistreatment of slaves was once associated with all the members of Confederacy that have been turned into statues and monuments. Consequently, it is vital that the monuments are keep intact in order to teach visitors about the abusive relationship that existed between the blacks and whites in the South. Even though critics claim that the monuments “still echoes in the nation’s prevailing racial inequities” (Source C), they still serve as an effective method of directly displaying the origin of the inequities present in this…
- 415 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Cited: "South Carolina Palmetto Flag." Honor the Colors: Iowa 's Civil War Battle Flags. State…
- 1550 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Even though the Confederate flag was originally made for war, the true meaning of it is no longer there. It has been used to symbolize "white power" and other racist statements. I am not saying that everyone who flys a confederate flag is racist, but in many cases they are perceived this way and bring out that message using the flag. This country is based on the principle that all men are created equal,…
- 315 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Wanting to keep the flag around for heritage reasons in museums and places that preserve past flags is completely okay. Whenever it comes to wearing the flag or flying it on important buildings under the American flag is where it becomes inappropriate. Coski (2005) states that in the 1980s the NAACP tried to rally or annul the use of the Confederate Beauregard Battle Flag in states and emblems. Coski shares my current opinion that Southern states should not banish the Beauregard Battle Flag but yet try to understand that its role and meaning are different for different groups of people. The flag should just be retired to museums.…
- 877 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The Civil War was an extremely messy and complicated event in American History. While there are several factors that led to the Southern states to secede from the Union, it is historically impossible to pinpoint the last bullet fired. Moreover, in academia there is a barrage of opinions on what was the deciding factor for the Civil War; one thing it is evident is that there was animosity between both sides since the inception of the United States. Additionally, one has to examine the proposed amendments to the Constitution before the Civil War to notice that the jargon used never used the word ‘slavery.’ For instance, in February 1861, Representative Thomas Corwin proposed his and amendment that barred his last name to the 36th Congress that guaranteed the seceding states that the federal government would not intervene with the particular domestic institutions; however, the word slavery was never used in the document. Stipulating that the amendment had passed, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution would have been unconstitutional, and the banning of slavery would never have occurred.…
- 300 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The Southern states have been defeated 150 years or so, yet the Confederate Flag stands tall in Southern states to this day. The Confederate flag holds a history of slavery, oppression, and racism. The fate of the flag is still being debated to this very day. If anything the flag needs to be displayed in a Museum, and not on a Capital Building.…
- 320 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In the first few years the Civil war in 1861 began were four open questions among Northerners and Southerners with regard to the slaves: First, would they rebel? Second, did they want their freedom? Third, would they fight for their freedom? And, finally, would they know what to do with their freedom if they got it? The answer to each question was yes, but in a manner that reflected the peculiar experience of blacks in white America."(Doc A) there was a consensus in the Union that the war was being fought over the Confederacy’s claims to protection of slave property and the power states’ rights over the federal government. Originally, the war was not fought for the…
- 985 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Though the Union and Confederate soldiers both fought for the victory of their nations, each side had its own reasoning and purpose for doing so. Soldiers relied on their families from home and in battle for encouragement. They wanted to fight not only for their nation, but for their family at home. They didn't want to let them down, alongside of their nation. Their family in regiments was just as beloved. They all felt the same pain and pride, therefore becoming closer to one another. They'd watch each other win and watch each other die. Backing out of it was the last thing they wanted to do and be considered a coward. Soldiers had rather die of honor than live a coward. They were all in it together and that bond with each other kept them from giving up. The leaves that were given gave those enlisted a break from the soldier life for a short period, which was a great privilege. The problem was that the leaves were abused and soldiers wouldn't come back when their time was up, therefore being a deserter. The government wasn't in control enough to do anything about the deserters.…
- 490 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
The confederate flag originally stood for southern pride, but most people argued it stood for racism, slavery, and hatred. The negative connotation of the flag did not come until after the Confederacy adopted the flag in 1863. The leaders of the Confederate Army in Virginia wanted a distinctive flag, so they could distinguish themselves from the United States. There were three versions of the confederate flag. The first flag was greatly disliked because of its strong resemblance to the United States flag. The second flag incorporated the battle flag for Virginia and did not last because of aesthetic reasons. The third flag also resembled the battle flag for Virginia, with an all white background and a red vertical stripe, resulting in the third flag not lasting very…
- 940 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In the play A Heart Divided it was fairly obvious that the playwrights wanted to make a statement with their work. They managed to cover both sides of the argument concerning the Confederate flag quite well. Symbols have a different meaning to everyone and it's all about the context in which they’re used.…
- 612 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Discrimination has been present throughout our country’s full history, and even now. It has existed in many forms, whether against blacks, non-catholics, women, or anything else. However, in one location, the Confederacy, there has been more of it than anytime else in US history. Slavery was legal there for centuries, and after it became illegal, discrimination stayed and the Jim Crow laws, along with the KKK, arose. This area has been known for its racism throughout the years, and is a prime example of discrimination in modern history.…
- 1257 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
The issue of the Confederate Flag has a long history. The fight in Michigan is over a different flag, the "Betsy Ross" flag. It was made in 1777. This was not long after the Declaration of Independence. The flag has 13 stars and 13 stripes. They stand for the 13 original colonies. These colonies became the United States. 240 years have passed by and the flag is now an issue to many people of color because, when the flag was made it was during the time of slavery and it was flown during the early days many people owned many slaves. In some parts of the world, such as North America there is a tremendous dispute over flowing the Confederate Flag in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina is mostly populated with many black people and there are also white people who flew the flags on their car. There are many flags…
- 703 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
The flag of the great state of Georgia has been changed and rearranged 4 times. Out of those four flags, 3 of them were controversial. They were controversial because they bore a resemblance to a flag that is referred to as the confederate flag. The current flag that represents our amazing state today carries a lot of meaning. This meaning is different for many people which in turn, makes the flag a very controversial topic. Some people see it as a gem of our history while other people see it as a bearer of segregation and racism. Many people believe that this flag should be changed while other believe that the flag should stay the way it is. I believe that the Georgia state flag should be made anew. The flag should be changed because it causes tension and separation throughout the state of Georgia and because it has a negative meaning.…
- 533 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Decades upon decades of inhumane and demoralizing treatment. Countless lives lost, and thousands of families split apart. Worked endlessly for hours, and even days on end. Deprived of food, water, and shelter. Spat on. Whipped. Beaten until chunks of skin were left hanging almost by a thread, with blood covering backs and the grass below. Beautiful human faces scarred and bruised. Slavery was evil, just as racism is to this very day. Even after the emancipation of African American slaves, white men in the south still continue to treat them as poorly and abusively as a stray dog. These emancipated slaves and their families deserve a fighting chance to make a living as free black men. They are no longer slaves, they are now the equals to white men. Former southern slave owners have no right to claim this land, after the way that they hurt all of these African Americans.…
- 870 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The future will no longer know about the history of the south or the way of life. President Donald Trump states "Sad to see the history and culture of our great country being ripped apart with the removal of our beautiful statues and monuments," Trump tweeted. "You can't change history, but you can learn from it.(Greenwood, Max. “Trump defends 'beautiful' Confederate statues.” TheHill, 17 Aug. 2017) The United States went through some rough patches but in every journey there is good and bad, and the bad either makes or breaks you, but you always remember it. To have the flag and monuments is not fair to the remembrance of all the Confederate soldiers who sacrificed their lives in order to the good of the country. Brophy contends that the removal of Confederate monuments would “quite literally, erase an unsavory — but important — part of our nation’s history.” (“PRO AND CON: Should Confederate monuments be removed?” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 16 May 2017) If we don’t have the monuments eventually the memory of them will just fade away. The Confederate monuments should not be removed from public…
- 694 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays