07-03-2015, 10:02 AM
Personally, I don't believe that the Confederate Battle Flag should be censored when it comes to recognizing its historical relevance -- if a video game, or a film, or a television show uses it for some purpose to highlight the era it takes place in, or to expand upon the themes, or even simply to just be historically accurate, yes, go for it.
But otherwise, I personally believe that it is a symbol of absolute racism and I cannot tolerate it in public places. Sure, put it in a museum. But flying it over a state building? Hanging it outside your house? Putting it on the back of your car? That's absolutely deplorable and, in my opinion, totally ostracizes an entire group of people (black people) from your company, perhaps without you even realizing it.
The whole point of this country, especially in recent days, is to create a place where people of all nationalities, cultures, races, etc can come and feel like they belong. It doesn't always work, but that's because we aren't brave enough to acknowledge that steps like this need to be taken.
I went to a small college in rural Georgia, and once I walked by someone's dorm room window. I didn't see blinds there, I saw a big Confederate Battle Flag hanging in the window. Immediately my thoughts ventured to how it must feel for a black person (I'm white) to walk past that window. Sure, not every black person would be offended, or feel uncomfortable, but isn't it a natural reaction, perhaps, to walk by and see that and immediately feel like you don't belong there? Someone is literally shoving the symbol of people who fought to keep your ancestors enslaved in your face, under the guise of "history" or "Southern pride."
How in the world have we made it this long allowing this to go on and masquerading it as "freedom of expression"? I believe everyone has the right to believe what they believe, but I also believe that, most importantly, everyone has the right to feel safe in this country. "The pursuit of happiness," and all that shit.
Oh, and for reference, Proto, here's Georgia's flag:
![[Image: nunst090.gif]](http://www.50states.com/flag/image/nunst090.gif)
What you're thinking of is the old one, replaced in 2001 by the one above:
![[Image: nunst014.gif]](http://www.50states.com/flag/image/nunst014.gif)
But otherwise, I personally believe that it is a symbol of absolute racism and I cannot tolerate it in public places. Sure, put it in a museum. But flying it over a state building? Hanging it outside your house? Putting it on the back of your car? That's absolutely deplorable and, in my opinion, totally ostracizes an entire group of people (black people) from your company, perhaps without you even realizing it.
The whole point of this country, especially in recent days, is to create a place where people of all nationalities, cultures, races, etc can come and feel like they belong. It doesn't always work, but that's because we aren't brave enough to acknowledge that steps like this need to be taken.
I went to a small college in rural Georgia, and once I walked by someone's dorm room window. I didn't see blinds there, I saw a big Confederate Battle Flag hanging in the window. Immediately my thoughts ventured to how it must feel for a black person (I'm white) to walk past that window. Sure, not every black person would be offended, or feel uncomfortable, but isn't it a natural reaction, perhaps, to walk by and see that and immediately feel like you don't belong there? Someone is literally shoving the symbol of people who fought to keep your ancestors enslaved in your face, under the guise of "history" or "Southern pride."
How in the world have we made it this long allowing this to go on and masquerading it as "freedom of expression"? I believe everyone has the right to believe what they believe, but I also believe that, most importantly, everyone has the right to feel safe in this country. "The pursuit of happiness," and all that shit.
Oh, and for reference, Proto, here's Georgia's flag:
What you're thinking of is the old one, replaced in 2001 by the one above:
![[Image: 2agonyw.png]](http://i68.tinypic.com/2agonyw.png)