Why do southerns keep insisting the Confederate flag isn't a racist symbol?

Because to THEM, the Civil War was "The War of Northern Aggression," where the North tried to take away all kinds of rights from the South. (Like, oh, the right to own slaves maybe?) They think the Confederate flag is a symbol of "Southern pride." I think they are all FUCKING RACIST IDIOTS.

I would imagine that much of that attitude is due to social conditioning. For me, when I was younger anyway, that was certainly the case. For years on end you are indoctrinated into the mindset that the Civil War was actually the "War of Northern Aggression" while being carefully steered away from any evidence that shows the Civil War for what it really was; a petty, foolish attempt to protect the institution of slavery by right-wing aristocrats which resulted in death and destruction on a scale never seen on American soil.

I find the entire situation very disheartening. Sadly I am afraid that there is little that can be done in the immediate future to change the atmosphere down here. The ideology is deeply ingrained in the southern, and particularly the white southern male's, mindset.

Well guess what? It's been ingrained into my mindset that a person with a Confederate flag will probably kill you. Me being small brown girl and all that jazz.

(January 30, 2014 at 8:55 pm)BrokenQuill92 Wrote: Well guess what? It's been ingrained into my mindset that a person with a Confederate flag will probably kill you. Me being small brown girl and all that jazz.

Pro tip: Stay away from Cullman, Alabama. It's the most racist place I've ever been. Lots of hate groups are located there, neo-nazis and KKK.

Y'all ain't from 'round here, are ya?

Slavery was a big issue in the war between the states, but it wasn't the only thing, and the north wasn't without fault, either. It's hard not to see it as a bit racist, and I'd rather see the national flag than the confederate one. I'd say that most people waving it with pride are probably not the most enlightened or progressive individuals. It's just one of those things, like hearing my parents call any black guy a n****r, despite knowing full well it's a deeply racist word.

(January 30, 2014 at 8:55 pm)BrokenQuill92 Wrote: Well guess what? It's been ingrained into my mindset that a person with a Confederate flag will probably kill you. Me being small brown girl and all that jazz.

I really wish I knew of a way to fix that. The whole situation I mean. The League of the South and their type whip up this southern nationalist nonsense and people wind up fearing for their lives and worse, getting hurt. Or killed as you pointed out.

What really changed my mind (and this might sound very morbid) was looking at photographs of lynchings. Those photos gave me a lot to think about and I guess I'm fortunate to have had that experience so I could take a step beck and examine my beliefs. On closer reflection I was able to see just how sick and twisted the outcome of that sort of thinking was likely to end up.

I hope you never find yourself in a dangerous situation because of this mindset and I look forward to a day when it's no longer widespread enough to cause anyone to fear for their safety.

(January 30, 2014 at 9:06 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Y'all ain't from 'round here, are ya?

Slavery was a big issue in the war between the states, but it wasn't the only thing, and the north wasn't without fault, either. It's hard not to see it as a bit racist, and I'd rather see the national flag than the confederate one. I'd say that most people waving it with pride are probably not the most enlightened or progressive individuals. It's just one of those things, like hearing my parents call any black guy a n****r, despite knowing full well it's a deeply racist word.

My father grew up with his parents using that kind of language. In addition, my grandfather (before he died), used to freely admit to joining up with his friends and beating up black people for being black. Although, to his credit, he looked ashamed about it. His former friends did not.

---

Oh, and my grandpa on my biological father's side (the previous father I mentioned was my step-father/adoptive father) was a member of the KKK.

(January 30, 2014 at 9:06 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Slavery was a big issue in the war between the states, but it wasn't the only thing, and the north wasn't without fault, either.

What other issues are you referring to and in what way was the United States at fault?

My biggest problem is southerners seem to think I should go up and ask if someone is a dangerous racist because "We ain't all like that. It's just a little southern pride."

Um they'd NEVER tell a Jew to go check if the guy waving around a swastika is "really a neo-nazi". So why do they ask it of me?