My thoughts: to waste all this time and energy on an outdated flag is really stupid and not even getting to the heart of the issue as to why this kid went off and killed 9 people. A flag is fabric, it's not an attitude. Dylan Roof didn't stab 9 people with a flag pole with a Confederate Flag.
That being said I do believe that the flag has no place at government buildings. We owe our respect to one flag, the stars and stripes. The Confederacy was defeated 150 years ago, they lost. But I will say that it's not just a pure symbol of hatred and oppression. It means a great many things, including to many Southerners who carry no prejudice.
We must protect the right of private citizens to fly it if they please. Banning it doesn't solve anything. It won't bring back 9 poor souls, it won't stop it being coveted by those who hold racism in their hearts, and it would be a form of censorship.
Pull it down from the capitol and government buildings. But defacing statues? Removing 'offensive' Confederate monuments? Rename schools and buildings? No.
Nets, pretty much what was said above is pretty much what I agree with and I'm a staunch Confederacy advocate since so much of my family fought in the war (as did many that fought for the Union as well, I do support BOTH sides believe it or not). Most of the time it's the battle flag that's flown anyways and that is the wrong flag that should be flying to begin with, but none should be flying over gov't grounds unless they are honoring every flag the city/state has ever been under like Pensacola Florida does.
As for what the Confederate flag means to me it means Southern heritage. Standing up for what we thought was right at the time. Like it or not slavery was apart of AMERICAN SOCIETY at the time, on BOTH SIDES of the issue. That is not what I'm celebrating or honoring when I say I honor the flag. Just like the U.S. flag, I support it but not everything associated with it. I've seen a lot white and black stand up for the rebel flags as we kind of take pride in being from the South since we are looked down upon from other areas. I'd say there is less racism here now than compared to other states and areas. But what chaps my ass is to be called a racist because I support the flags, that is more racist than I am flying the damn flag.....lol.
But no matter what people will call us racist for supporting the flag so I'm in a no win situation and the main reason I don't care to talk about it anymore.
