A symbol of traitors who tried to leave the United States for slavery. Granted, the vast majority of Southern whites didn't own slaves, but (unless they individually stayed loyal to the Union) they did fight against the Union on behalf of the rights of the rich to own people. Absolutely shameful.
Anyone who tries to argue "bbbbut it wasn't really about slavery!!1" is an apologist moron.
The fact that it's become the beloved symbol of Dixiecrats, the KKK, and other white supremacists should be a clue to the people who aren't sure...
You nailed it. Anyone who uses it as a symbol for Southern pride needs to take a good look at history and themselves. You may as well be a German flying a nazi flag as a symbol of German pride and say that the nazis weren't all bad. Completely illogical.
It is perfectly acceptable for symbols to have different meanings for different people. I grew up in the South and for the vast majority of people it is a symbol of Southern Pride. That may sound weird to a lot of people outside of the South or the concept of Southern Pride might also sound strange. But, growing up there it seems that the attitude of others towards the region is flatout bigoted and prejudice. As if they expect you to apologize for being Southern. That they think less of you for simply being Southern. So, we become irrationally prideful of our culture and over celebrate our heritage and symbols. It's a symptom of cultural polarization.
Having said that, no one from the South should have any misgivings or try to play ignorant about what the Confederate Battle Flag means everywhere else in the US or to non Southerns.
Also, having now lived on the East Coast for about 15 years, I have no idea what people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and other non Southern states are doing flying it.
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