Confederate Symbols: Article Analysis

In America the confederate flag is often known as a symbol of slavery and abuse. Daniel Barkley argued a completely different argument in this text. He stated the confederate flag was removed from South Carolina’s State Capitol because African Americans began to make this their “black power flag”.

The Confederate Flag is a demoralizing symbol to many African Americans in the United States. To a number of African Americans because they think this flag is a symbol of slavery and the domination whites had over slaves during the time of the civil war. This flag is

The Confederate Battle flag is one of the most recognized symbols in the United States. It is not always a welcome symbol in today’s society. Take for instance the state of South Carolina having to remove it from its statehouse on April 12, 2000. The reason it is not always welcome is because people often misinterpret its true meaning. It is not a symbol of hatred but, a symbol of southern pride and honor. The pride and honor of all the men and women who carried it the flag into battle fighting for what they believed in, Southern independence.

Before engaging in discourse regarding the Confederacy, it is important to understand what, exactly, it was about. The Confederate States of America were formed in 1861 as a way for the deep South to continue owning slaves, due in part to the fact that their agricultural industries depended on slave labor to operate. While they did stand for other things, the origin and primary goal of the Confederacy was to fight against those who wanted to abolish slavery. Because of this, Confederate memorabilia and monuments are fundamentally linked with slavery and racism, and this aspect must be remembered when discussing what to do with regards to Confederate monuments.

Throughout the years there has been many flags that represent something unique of a nation. Flags that symbolizes our freedom and pride of becoming part of that nation. These flags give us the motivation and strength to fight until the end for the protection of our nation. However, as years went by, many different flags have brought about many controversies that have resulted in the fall and disappearance of them, all except one, the Confederate Flag. The Confederate flag is a well-known historical flag all around the United States and possibly around the world. However, this flag has provoked many controversial situations in the nation due to the way individuals interpret it.

Confederate symbols are symbols like monuments or flags that show people who were Confederate army heros or just the flag to show that they think that the Confederacy should have won. Confederate symbols represent white supremacy and Hate for people who are people too. The people most of the monuments are made for were white supremacists and they believed that so strongly they went to war for it. These people were unjust and they thought one race was superior; which it is not. These statues stand for things that most people in our country do not believe. To learn more about this topic I read an article about Confederate monuments. In the article “Are Confederate Monuments our Heritage or Symbols of Hate?” from Newsweek, it says, “For many people—perhaps especially African-Americans—Confederate symbols such

WATKINS GLEN (WENY) - After a gunman opened fired at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, nearly two months ago, it sparked a conversation across the country over the symbolism of the Confederate Flag. That's because the man behind the crime was seen posing in pictures with the flag, which is also viewed by many as promoting racism, rather than Southern history. The debate prompted many industries to stop the sale of merchandise showing the Confederate Flag, including NASCAR.

The Confederate flag has been around since 1861, as a symbol of endless war, and detestation towards African Americans. Today, 154 years later, some states still incorporate the confederate flag into their state flags. The Confederate flag does not show progression in history, rather it is offensive to many groups and should be put to rest, because it does not promote unity in America. The Confederate flag holds America back and keeps our country stuck in the past.

The Civil War was a big part of our history which had two opposing sides The North and The South. The South flew a flag know as the Confederate Flag which has lately took the meaning of racist. T.V shows containing the flag have been taken of the air along with flag companies claiming that they are no longer going to manufacture the Confederate Flag and major stores including Wal-Mart claiming they are no longer going to sell merchandise containing the flag. The Confederate Flag is a part of our history and heritage and should be allowed to displayed where pleases or shown on T.V with out people getting upset and thinking that it is racist.

For the past few months there has been lots of controversy of wither or not the Confederate Flag should be taken down. The removal of the Confederate Flag had been brought up again because a man by the name of Dylan Roof had shot and killed 9 innocent people who were attending Bible study at the Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina, Wednesday June 17, 2015. People all over the United States have been arguing over this topic, no one can agree on wither or not we should take down the flag. In my opinion the flag and any other historical monument that relates to the Civil War should be left alone.

The power that comes from an object or symbol is not inherent. At one point in human history a cross was simply just two sticks laying on top of each other. Humans gave it power by using it and acknowledging it as a symbol. The case is the same with the confederate flag. It is a powerful symbol because of the connotations that humans have given it. The problem is not everyone has the same idea on what the confederate flag stands for. Gene Demby, author of When The ‘Heritage’ In ‘Heritage Not Hate’ Is More Skynyrd Than Stonewall Jackson spoke to multiple people who all have different reasons for liking the flag. Rather than see it as a sign of slavery they connect the flag to their childhood or a memory they have that has literally nothing to do with slavery. Gene’s point is that the flag is significant based on personal heritage and experiences not that of the past. Hugh Howard author of, How the North distorts Civil War history has yet another approach. He doesn’t necessarily debate the meaning of the flag, but does illuminate that most people only have one side of the story when it comes to the reasons for the Civil War. The north was in favor of slavery just as much as the south, yet nobody seems to have a problem with the Union flag. This leads to the conclusion that it isn’t the flag itself that is the problem rather the people who endorse it. Lastly Byron Thomas, author of I am a black South Carolinian Here’s why I support the Confederate flag uses the fact that he is

Although the confederate flag was not originally created to be a hate symbol, it became one over the years. If there is any symbol or material item that offends a certain ethnic group, it can, and will most likely, be labeled as a racist insignia. When something goes as far as offending and restricting the rights of men and their equality, then it is racist and should not be tolerated to fly above a man’s home or dwelling. If an item such as the confederate flag plays such a significant role in history, it should be remembered in a museum. By putting it into a museum, it will be respected, not forgotten, and the people whose lives had been affected by the Confederate Flag are not in any situations where they feel scared, at risk of harm, inadequate or unequal; the people shall not be persecuted or feel as though they are being persecuted. The Confederate Flag should not fly amongst the people any longer. The past is the past.

About 150 years ago, the Civil War ended, and Reconstruction era began. African American slaves were free, but were looked at as different than everybody else. It wasn’t until the late 1950s and early 60s that African Americans finally felt equal to whites. Today, even though slavery and segregation has ended in the United States, racism is an extremely important topic. African Americans and people of other races are still facing the problems they did 100 years ago. One symbol of this is the Confederate flag. The Confederacy supported slavery, a now proclaimed ‘unconstitutional’ act. The Confederate flag is still being flown in some Southern states today, and they are offending thousands of United States citizens. The Confederate flag should be taken down in all public places because it represents a crude act of African American labor, it is used by white supremacist groups, and represents a rebellious group of people.

Is the Confederate flag a symbol of Southern Culture or a symbol of racial injustice? Dictionary.com defines symbol as “a material object representing something, often something immaterial.” When the Civil War first started, the flag became a representative of the Confederate side of the war. After the war, it was thought to be rebellion. Now, it is a symbol of the Southern culture.

To many southerners, The Confederate Flag is a symbol of southern heritage and the strength of their ancestors. However, the placement of this flag on Texas government issued license plates has created much backlash. Some southerners take offense to the flag. They view the flag as a representation of hatred and white supremacy. According to Rev. George V. Clark, the flag “Represents hate, something that has made people feel less than human.” Although groups such as, The Sons of Confederate Veterans, see the flag in a positive light, the governor of Texas, Rick Perry, supports the rejection of the plates. Since it is such a delicate topic, he believes it is best not to “be scraping old wounds.” The nine other states that continue to provide