Confederate flag still prevalent in Southern Illinois

[struggle4progress]

8 hours ago • By Molly Parker

... But cultural influences in this region, situated near Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, tend to sway more to the ways of the South than the North in attitudes, political beliefs and social behaviors. Southern Illinois is not the same as Mississippi, but that state can be reached much more quickly from Marion than can Chicago.

“It’s in our DNA,” Jones said. “It’s definitely in mine. It’s hard to pin these things down … but there’s romanticism about the South. When I was young, I had a Confederate flag in my bedroom that I bought at Gettysburg. I didn’t attach any feeling to that; I just thought it was cool. Maybe it’s that ‘loser’ thing.”

Jones added: “Now I’m an avid Union guy. I strongly believe the Civil War was about slavery.”

In recent times, the Confederate flag has shown up in prominent places in Southern Illinois. For example, three large Confederate flags displayed on a vendor’s tent in front of City Hall were one of the first sights greeting visitors to this May’s popular Old King Coal Festival, in West Frankfort ...

http://thesouthern.com/news/local/confederate-flag-still-prevalent-in-southern-illinois/article_311544a9-e25c-5cd5-8d33-7c668dec6891.html

[GummyBearz]

1. I am outraged!!!

Now what?

[DawgHouse]

2. Well, I think you are supposed to start a new thread about your outrage

so we don't run outta threads.

[cwydro]

3. You have to now call anyone from Illinois

a backward bumpkin. Then make nasty remarks with as many curse words as possible.

That will make you seem tough, brave, and a true warrior.

[Facility Inspector]

4. Some of the most vocally racist people I have ever met

were in Illinois.

[tritsofme]

5. When you're from the Chicagoland area, Southern Illinois feels like a whole other state.

And the feeling is definitely mutual. Most of the few specs of civilization are university towns.