I am a Yankee and must admit that the study of the Civil War and the results are not the historic topics in northern schools as much as they are in the south schools.
Please, I'm only making an general observation based on personal experience and not a statment of absolutes.
When I moved to NC a decade ago, I was a substitute teacher for 8th grade NC history. I had to study up and let me tell you, I was quite interested in the "other side of the story"!
I know for many of those in the south, the war will never really be over, largely in part because the south had the better army and the better generals. By all reason, the south should have won. Then came Sherman... after which came all the broken promises...
I must admit that I have a whole new understanding for the southerner's position in this matter. I'm not going to argue the morality of the war or the outcome. It was a tragic event for our country and for the men and boys who took part.
As for the flag, I see nothing wrong with flying it, or wearing it, or anything else. It's a part of history and represents a very troubling time and something very significant to those of you in the south.
When I was a kid, it was defined as a war between opposing groups of a same country for control of that country. Many years ago, the portion 'for control of that country' was dropped.
A very interesting, and quite telling, change in the definition of this phrase; don't you think?
More people should, maybe. For me, the essence of that flag spells rebellion. (No wonder so many government institutions and politicians despise it.)