Thoughts?

[DanvilleSportsHead]

14 year old me would fight anyone who I saw wearing a confederate flag shirt. I went to Danville Public Schools from Kindergarten thru the 8th grade, hence I never had more than maybe 7 or 8 white kids in my school. When I moved to county schools for high school I was one of few blacks in the whole school. I'd never seen a confederate flag worn so proudly and freely. Total culture shock. Ignorantly, I wanted to fight them and rebel against the school district because they allowed this. Once I seen that I couldn't change anything I had to live with it. Yes, some wore it to troll and as a form of hate, but what I learned the most was a good 95% of the kids who wore this were some of the coolest people. Some of the nicest, most respectful and good friends who wasn't racist at all. They wore it as a part of their heritage, as Danville is the last capital of the Confederacy. The past year and a half, since the tragic killings at the Black church in Charleston, SC, the confederate flag has been a big conversation in Danville. HUGE, which I think is total BS because the city should be worried with a lot more than a Confederate flag. I attended the Sons of The Confederacy program at the Sutherlin Mansion in protest of city council wanting to take the Confederate Flag down. I was one of maybe 15 blacks in Danville who attended and thought the city was blowing this out of proportion. During this program, I didn't hear not one thing about race or hate, but more about respecting their ancestors who died for what they believed in. To make a long story short, the city of Danville has outlawed the flag on city property. The Sons of the Confederacy stand outside of the Sutherlin Mansion every Saturday morning waving and interacting in the community to both blacks and whites. I tute my horn to show support of what they're doing when I'm home. It's their flag so I respect them 100% even with all of the negative stigmas of the past. I've heard way worst things with people holding VCU, UVA, or VT game flags towards their opponent/fans than I have a person holding a confederate flag towards an individual person. It's easy to stereotype a person with a confederate flag and say "this ole redneck" "this ole racist", but all who fly that flag and wear the memorabilia are not the racist stereotypes that society makes them out to be. Most have good ole southern ways.

 

[Lafayette]

You didn't answer the question.

Of course i have a problem with the US flag flying over accepted and condoned slavery from 1783-1861. But the Federal US goverment resolved this inhumanity in that year. The confederacy would have continued the practice of slavery indefinitely.

 

[salemfan32]

My family has its share of former and current military folks. I obviously respect today's USA and what it took to get here or I wouldn't have this avatar. I feel that folks displaying the Confederate flag are also disrespecting our country, in a worse way than kneeling during the Anthem, but no publicity is made about that. Why not? Heck, Lee-Davis High School's nickname is still the Confederates, and there are still a ton of schools named after Confederate generals. Louisa used to be the Rebels, but they changed it. I have driven behind the same truck a few times that is plastered with the Confederate flag and has bumper stickers saying things like "I miss RE Lee". IMO, the American flag represents a rich history of good and bad, but the Confederate flag is based on nothing good. Many people displaying the Confederate flag like to say it's because of their heritage, but some are the same people saying African Americans need to get over slavery. Newsflash, they need to get over a war they lost that was rooted in evil and secession. I'm not saying to forget our past as a whole at all, there are many ways to keep the discussions alive, but flying that other flag represents arrogance and bitterness to me.

This country was built on "freedom", greed, decimation of Native Americans and enslavement/torture of African Americans and other races. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of very good people back then, too. Now it's hundreds of years later, and things are still in the early stages of changing for the better. Imagine if there were as many Native Americans here today as there are African Americans. What would they be saying? How would they view the American flag? But regardless of the things going on today, life is still better than it was 50 years ago. Things like Vietnam should have never happened. I understand and appreciate everyone's, like BN, Devils, DSH, and mvwarrior's, views on the subject, which are based on personal and family experience, as is everyone else's. I feel that this board isn't the place for this kind of discussion, so I'll no longer post in this thread.

The flag known as the "confederate flag" today was nothing more than a battle flag. Numerous military units used it as their battle flag. It never represented the confederate states. These soldiers died and should be remembered that's what the flag represents. These young men didn't have a choice they were drafted and had to serve. They could have viewed slavery just as vile as many northerners. Just as some northerners were in favor of slavery. If you want to point towards a flag that represents slavery that would be the flag of the Confederate States of America not the flag that's currently what we call the "confederate flag"

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

@salemfan32 yes, but many people displaying the flag today are not aware of that. The representation of the current flag is basically the mainstream consolidation of the other versions.

 

[salemfan32]

My family has its share of former and current military folks. I obviously respect today's USA and what it took to get here or I wouldn't have this avatar. I feel that folks displaying the Confederate flag are also disrespecting our country, in a worse way than kneeling during the Anthem, but no publicity is made about that. Why not? Heck, Lee-Davis High School's nickname is still the Confederates, and there are still a ton of schools named after Confederate generals. Louisa used to be the Rebels, but they changed it. I have driven behind the same truck a few times that is plastered with the Confederate flag and has bumper stickers saying things like "I miss RE Lee". IMO, the American flag represents a rich history of good and bad, but the Confederate flag is based on nothing good. Many people displaying the Confederate flag like to say it's because of their heritage, but some are the same people saying African Americans need to get over slavery. Newsflash, they need to get over a war they lost that was rooted in evil and secession. I'm not saying to forget our past as a whole at all, there are many ways to keep the discussions alive, but flying that other flag represents arrogance and bitterness to me.

This country was built on "freedom", greed, decimation of Native Americans and enslavement/torture of African Americans and other races. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of very good people back then, too. Now it's hundreds of years later, and things are still in the early stages of changing for the better. Imagine if there were as many Native Americans here today as there are African Americans. What would they be saying? How would they view the American flag? But regardless of the things going on today, life is still better than it was 50 years ago. Things like Vietnam should have never happened. I understand and appreciate everyone's, like BN, Devils, DSH, and mvwarrior's, views on the subject, which are based on personal and family experience, as is everyone else's. I feel that this board isn't the place for this kind of discussion, so I'll no longer post in this thread.

Unfortunately war and slavery is something that happpens and its happened to every race every nationality. That certainly doesn't make it right but it's just the world we live in. Most countries have gone through something similar to our situation as far as creating a nation goes, many of those more violent than what Native Americans had to go through. Every race has been enslaved so everyone needs to get over slavery. You can be assured it's still happening and it's going to continue to happen. Continuously bringing it up doesn't heal wounds but only deepens them and provides a reason for divisiveness and hate.

 

[salemfan32]

@salemfan32 yes, but many people displaying the flag today are not aware of that. The representation of the current flag is basically the mainstream consolidation of the other versions.

Well do you know that for sure. Do you ask people why they are displaying the flag? Do you truly believe people who fly the "confederate flag" are pro slavery or racist?

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

@salemfan32 everyone I've asked over the years either said they do it because of their heritage or because they were raised that way. Only one person I've asked knew there were multiple versions of the flag. Of course I don't think everyone flying the flag are pro slavery or racist, but we have to be realistic, some folks very much are.

 

[salemfan32]

@salemfan32 everyone I've asked over the years either said they do it because of their heritage or because they were raised that way. Only one person I've asked knew there were multiple versions of the flag. Of course I don't think everyone flying the flag are pro slavery or racist, but we have to be realistic, some folks very much are.

Absolutely, there are people that are hateful and racist but when the vast majority aren't. Why is the flag seen as racist?

 

[Cvafootballlc]

I have a battle flag that I display inside my home (mainly for fear of vandalism) and it was always been a symbol of respect for those from our state and the entire south as a whole who fought and gave their blood under that flag. I have 3 documented ancestors who fought for the south, one died leaving his wife and young children alone. The large majority of individuals in the south were not slave owners, so the idea that men were willing to die to keep their slave is frankly absurd. I think the biggest issue in the flag debate is neither side will listen or try to understand the other point of view. I think the flag opens this type of conversation, which is a good thing.

 

[rainman17]

I think that people often confuse patriotism with nationalism, the social conditioning we have underwent throughout our lives has called for us to stand as a representation of being "patriotic". Being patriotic is a choice because it is sheer emotion, one someone can control. Patriotism has absolutely nothing to do with the American flag or the national anthem in truth but rather how you feel about those entities that represent you. When speaking in terms of nationalism we must think critically in this analysis of how far nationalism is allowed to infringe on it's citizens. Nationalism is good in a lot of aspects but in it's extreme forms, nationalism led to the rise of Nazi Germany, implying that nationalism can be detriment to society if taken to far. There's a thin line and in this issue, and many people often allow their own levels of patriotism and sense of nationalism to blur what Kaep is taking a stand on. He chose to do what he did because the platform he is on is very public and the issue he speaks about is not about the flag or the anthem. The ISSUE is the institutions they (flag/anthem) represent and how those institutions are not just in our equal for all/rights to life liberty and pursuit of happiness society. Social injustices which many people need to take long hard looks in the mirror about, the most educated post on the matter has been the least talked about which was Devils...the issue is not Kaep standing but rather the issues he is looking to illuminate that people choose to ignore to bring up the fact he is exercising his rights to not stand during the anthem.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I think that people often confuse patriotism with nationalism, the social conditioning we have underwent throughout our lives has called for us to stand as a representation of being "patriotic". Being patriotic is a choice because it is sheer emotion, one someone can control. Patriotism has absolutely nothing to do with the American flag or the national anthem in truth but rather how you feel about those entities that represent you. When speaking in terms of nationalism we must think critically in this analysis of how far nationalism is allowed to infringe on it's citizens. Nationalism is good in a lot of aspects but in it's extreme forms, nationalism led to the rise of Nazi Germany, implying that nationalism can be detriment to society if taken to far. There's a thin line and in this issue, and many people often allow their own levels of patriotism and sense of nationalism to blur what Kaep is taking a stand on. He chose to do what he did because the platform he is on is very public and the issue he speaks about is not about the flag or the anthem. The ISSUE is the institutions they (flag/anthem) represent and how those institutions are not just in our equal for all/rights to life liberty and pursuit of happiness society. Social injustices which many people need to take long hard looks in the mirror about, the most educated post on the matter has been the least talked about which was Devils...the issue is not Kaep standing but rather the issues he is looking to illuminate that people choose to ignore to bring up the fact he is exercising his rights to not stand during the anthem.

Very well articulated Rainman. I don't necessarily agree with you, but you did a good job of explaining your feelings. I like that. Thanks.

 

[ClarkeFan83]

Wow, I just have to meet your parents. They wrote the book on setting an example for their kids.

I'm mighty proud to call you my friend.

Me too. Damn proud. Would love to meet your parents and shake their hands.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

@DEVILSLB99 that didn't last long, Kap is starting on Sunday.

 

[DEVILSLB99]

Yep it's a good move. He's the better QB for that system.