Posted on 10/03/2002 12:54:46 PM PDT by Rebeleye
In my younger days I was only marginally aware of its existence. I was taught in history classes that it symbolized the Confederacy. I can't recall discussing, or even acknowledging, its controversial nature until I came to Louisiana State University. It simply wasn't something I thought about, but I probably intrinsically knew it was wrong. Then, in 1999 LSU's Student Senate debated the issue of whether it should decry the use of the purple and gold Confederate battle flag. At that time I was a novice reporter cutting my teeth on a huge story.
In the end, forums and meetings were held, and the Senate eventually took half a stance on the issue after watering down the bill.
Honestly, I don't remember the exact wording of the final resolution. I don't remember the debates, but I do remember one thing -- sheer, raw emotions: hate, anger, alienation.
It's worth noting that in the course of the debate, the campus learned the University didn't sponsor the flag and didn't approve of it. But the First Amendment guarantees free speech, regardless of how ugly that speech may be.
At the time I sat in the back of the meetings with a confused look on my face. I could see both sides of the issue -- freedom of speech is something I cherish, but I also could see why some people hate the flag.
I wondered naively what all of the fuss was about. It was just a piece of cloth, wasn't it? As I witnessed the unbridled emotions of those who supported the flag juxtaposed against the anger of those who hated it, I realized the piece of cloth that never had meant much to me before certainly meant something to other people.
Now, as I look back through the past few semesters and the people I've met and interacted with, I too can say I despise the Confederate battle flag. There's a common misconception that only African Americans hate the flag. That's wrong -- I grew up in the South, and I cringe at the sight of the Southern Cross flying in the sky. I associate it with hate, slavery and oppression.
And it isn't enough that people have to insult me by waving the Confederate battle flag. They dress it in purple and gold, LSU's colors.
I am offended because people associate something that I love -- LSU -- with something that hurts me and others deeply. People think hate for the Confederate flag is an issue dominated by race, but I can tell you from experience it is not.
As I walk through campus, I see a school that isn't and never will be perfect. But I see a school that's trying and a place with a growing minority population.
And so it angers me that some fans choose to exclude part of this campus community by waving the flag for all to see. Clearly, it isn't surprising that African-American students would associate it with the practice of slavery.
A common defense espoused by many who fly the flag is that it represents their Southern heritage, not hate for any particular culture. And while I understand the need to relate to your ancestors, I wonder why people would want their heritage associated with something like slavery.
Hide behind the heritage argument all you like -- someone who really was proud of where he or she came from would find a more respectful way to remember it.
I only can imagine what people think of LSU when they drive down Nicholson Drive on a football game day and see purple and gold Confederate banners sprouting up from tailgaters' tent camps. They must think we're racist and close-minded, that we hate African Americans and are more content living in the past than in the future.
I for one am not any of these things, and neither is the University I call my home. I understand the same Bill of Rights that allows me to write these words allows tailgaters to fly the purple-and-gold Confederate flag. But I encourage these fans, who surely consider themselves loyal supporters of this University, to remember they should respect the members of the LSU community.
Take down the flags. Loyalty, passion and enthusiasm all are characteristics of diehard LSU fans. Hate shouldn't be.
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Because you are an ignoramus. The Civil War was never about slavery, other than slavery of the inferior states to Washington. Abraham Lincoln was a staunch advocate of shipping blacks out of the country. He never issued the Emancipation Proclamation until near the end of the war.
Uh...that would be St. Andrew's Cross.
Walt
Well, that's not right:
The secessionists made their motives plain:
"We affirm that these ends for which this Government was instituted have been defeated, and the Government itself has been made destructive of them by the action of the non-slaveholding States... They have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery; they have permitted open establishment among them of societies, whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloign the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes; and those who remain, have been incited by emissaries, books and pictures to servile insurrection.
--from South Carolina Decl. of Secession)
"...[the Northern States] have united in the election of a man to high office of the President of the United States, whose opinions and purpose are hostile to slavery. He is to be entrusted with the administration of the common Government, because he has declared that the `Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free,' and that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction."
"They demand the abolition of negro slavery throughout the confederacy, the recognition of political equality between the white and negro races, and avow their determination to press on their crusade against us, so long as a negro slave remains in these States."
--Texas Declaration of Secession.
"Our cause is thoroughly identified with the institution of African slavery."
--The Mississippi secession convention
Soon to be CSA congressman Lawrence Keitt, speaking in the South Carolina secession convention, said, "Our people have come to this on the question of slavery. I am willing, in that address to rest it upon that question. I think it is the great central point from which we are now proceeding, and I am not willing to divert the public attention from it."
Walt
Who sees that flag as being hateful? People that hate!
Compared to the Nazi flag, which does represent evil, the Stars and Bars is symbolic of great honor within many American hearts; and a flag hated by people that hate, is a good flag to me.
Hatred of the good for being the good -- Ronald Reagan, Republicans, family values, mottoes like "Duty, Honor, Country" -- is commonplace amongst American liberals.
The record doesn't show that.
President Lincoln never suggested that anyone be forced out of the country. He said little or nothing about colonizationnafter black soldiers were enlisted to fight under Old Glory.
Walt
Not at my house. SAVE THAT CONFEDERATE MONEY BOYS THE SOUTH IS GONNA RISE AGAIN!
Why yes, they did: Slavery, No; Secession, Yes
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