It Is A Good Question.

[The Grand Nudger]

Where was this patriotism when the north wanted the country to change? I suppose they didn't think this would be America anymore if it changed the status quo.

"The North" didn't want change...particularly not the change you're envisioning. "The North" stopped using the old terminology (but not the juiciest bits of it...), the behavior persisted (and persists.....btw). I think you're putting too much stock in the story told by the victor. It didn't even behoove "The North" for -The South- to change, so maybe that explains why, after having won an absolute victory....they did nothing to actually -change- the south...and then allowed it to continue doing what it had been doing for a century or more (in addition to continuing themselves)? They were dependent to begin with. The story of the US for a very long time was that of a textile exporter....mull it over. It's ridiculous to even speak of it this way, as I'm sure that "the South" wanted change (and particularly this one) more than "The North".....after all...."The South" was where the fucking slaves were..........and it's not as though they didn't have sympathetic southern whites with them in that regard.

@Other miscellania-
Patriotism -is- compromising your own principles for the principles of your country. If a countries principles had to be aligned in every particular to an individuals principles...firstly, that wouldn't be very "american" and secondly, we'd all be shit out of luck..and no one would be a patriot. A nation of uncompromising individuals is a nation full of fail. Speaking of jingoism, btw...I can't help but see Northern Jingoism in these discussions. Some a yall boys sound like the type that would have fired the first shots yourself....lol.

If Cletus's great great great granddaddy died under rebel colors...Imma go ahead and say he can fly em without shame. Same goes for anyone else, under a different flag. If they're flying it as a statement against "the blacks" then they're shitting on memories too. Meh, what does the loser have, besides the flag anyway?

Never been my thing, I think the one flag we have is just fine....even state flags seem kind of pointless to me. But anyone else who wants to fly them shouldn't have to defend that decision just because someone else has invested it with all of their worst suspicions and most blatant propaganda. Anyone calling out the Union Jack flying over a bar? No.....? Why not?

In my experience..take this as far as you like or leave it. That flag is just a way to advertise a shared heritage and a sense of pride in that heritage (and however misguided someone may see it as a symbol..that heritage is more than just the civil war or slavery). It encapsulates a defining moment and a crushing defeat, true...but it means more than just that to people who fly it. That's the sort of shit that people cling to. Does that heritage contain bigotry? Yes. When we see the Stars and Stripes can we say that it doesn't? Should flying -that flag- bring shame on my head?