I would like to concede something I continue to see thrown about by those defending the Confederate Battle Flag. What I concede is that, yes, the flag (that everyone recognizes), and all the others of the Confederate States and their militaries, does in fact represent a heritage beyond that of simple racism. It is true. No doubt about it.
Can you articulate that heritage?
I can.
The heritage of the Confederate flags tell us that a group of people had the courage and bravery to step on to the field of battle and face death and deprivation for their beliefs and their freedom. They stood up for the freedom for men to own and treat other men like cattle and that such freedom was more important than the ideals and strength of the United States of America. The strength of their conviction was such that they turned their back on the U.S. and raised their flag in rebellion. That is the heritage of the flags' origins.
If you search online you will find that the bloodiest day in U.S. history is listed as September 17, 1862. That is the day during the Civil War when the Battle of Antietam took place. Why is that called the bloodiest day? Because historians insist that those killed on both sides were Americans and count them together. This is common practice for evaluating each battle within that conflict. Yet, just as the name of The Civil War is not even accepted by southern historians, there is no agreement on the name of the day. It is the Battle of Sharpsburg for southern history books. The flags in question, and those who revere their heritage, continue to set themselves apart. They honor rebels against America. Yet, in a odd contrast, I would wager that most who hoist a Confederate flag today probably pretends themselves an American Patriot.
So there is plenty of heritage to the flags. And every time I see them, and consider that heritage it infuriates me.
As such, I am infuriated before we even begin to touch on the modern fact that more than a minor portion of the so called patriots who celebrate the heritage of armed treason to defend slavery are still racists today.
I accept no rational defense of these flags beyond immediate historical context (i.e., museums, film, military gaming, etc.). Defending or flying such flags in any other context deservedly invites derision.
