Alex Jules, Curator for the Graffiti Wall discusses the Confederate Flag

[LiberalArkie]

Mods, please don't delete it before you have even read it.



http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegraffitiwall/2015/06/our-national-symbol-why-south-carolina-should-fly-the-confederate-flag/

The Confederate flag flies high in South Carolina this Juneteeth. It’s seen as disrespectful to some, insulting to most, and a symbol of racism and white supremacy for anyone cares to see it for what it is. But its also part of our national tapestry.

There’s a call to take it down in the wake of the Charleston Massacre of nine people, because of Dylann Storm Roof’s hatred. These human beings were just a bunch of niggers to him. I’m going to use that word, because it’s necessary. It’s right for this conversation, and I need you to understand it.

Niggers, the concept, like the flag, should’ve gone away a long time ago. But I can’t romanticize that flag like many people of color have chosen to romanticize that word. There is no endearing quality for me. The stainless banner, the battle flag, or the rebel flag (ooooh, that sounds so cool), whatever you call it, is a symbol of uncompromising white power.

Lets be honest. That’s why it has been chosen by so many supremist groups as their symbol.

Snip

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegraffitiwall/2015/06/our-national-symbol-why-south-carolina-should-fly-the-confederate-flag/

[HassleCat]

1. Symbol of defiance

That particular confederate flag was just one of several designs used in the Civil War. The "official" flag of the confederacy was a different design. This flag we see so much now was chosen as a symbol of defiance when the Supreme Court ordered public school desegregation in 1955. So it's history is solidly racist, no question. If any of the "celebrate our southern heritage" groups wanted to display a flag, they could choose one that represented their "glorious heritage" much more appropriately than the flag they fly all over the place, the anti-integration flag, the blatantly racist flag. They know this. They could use the official flag of the confederacy, for example, but that doesn't seem to suit them. They have a special love for the flag used as a racist symbol. That has to be a little more than coincidence.

[Heidi]

2. A belated welcome to DU, HassieCat!

[LiberalArkie]

3. I think that is what the author is saying. He says make them face the fact that they are racist.

Make them face it every day. Make them face it every day they walk beside it.