Is displaying a Confederate flag similar to displaying a Nazi flag?

[Ferguson97]

Obviously yes.

[TheReckoning]

Yes, although displaying a Nazi flag is worse.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

In most ways that actually matter, No.

[Amanda Huggenkiss]

You sometimes see Confederate flags even in Germany. I think people do this for varying reasons.

For some, it certainly serves as proxy for other flags that are not quite socially acceptable in Germany, if not illegal.

But I'm sure that the other subset of Germans to display this flag really have no idea of American history, and for them, the flag merely symbolizes 'Southern' values such as 'pickup truck' 'barbeque' 'Harley Davidson' or 'cowboy hat.'

[LBJer]

I didn't vote because I think it depends on the motivation of the person displaying the Confederate flag.

[Meclazine for Israel]

Some people consider displaying an Australian flag as a redneck bogan thing to do.

Flags have a strange effect on people.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-22/nsw-government-reviews-harbour-bridge-aboriginal-flag-pole-price/101171376

[DaleCooper]

The answer is obviously no in most contexts. The confederate flag's intent actually does depend on the context, unlike the Nazi flag which is essentially synonymous with the Holocaust no matter when and where it's used. And I think everyone here knows this too, by the way.

To test that, imagine you're in a parking lot and you see a truck with a confederate flag bumper sticker on it and elsewhere in the lot you see a truck with a swastika bumper sticker. Which one of those guys are you more eager to avoid?

With the confederate flag truck, it very well could belong to a dangerous member of a hate group, but more likely it's just some tone-deaf fat guy who listens to Lynyrd Skynyrd, likes hometown southern country values, thinks he's tougher than he is, and doesn't like being told what to do. But when it comes to the truck with a nazi flag bumper sticker on it, you know with damn near 100% certainty that that guy is crazy and probably dangerous.

[wesmoorenerd]

The answer is obviously no in most contexts. The confederate flag's intent actually does depend on the context, unlike the Nazi flag which is essentially synonymous with the Holocaust no matter when and where it's used. And I think everyone here knows this too, by the way.

To test that, imagine you're in a parking lot and you see a truck with a confederate flag bumper sticker on it and elsewhere in the lot you see a truck with a swastika bumper sticker. Which one of those guys are you more eager to avoid?

With the confederate flag truck, it very well could belong to a dangerous member of a hate group, but more likely it's just some tone-deaf fat guy who listens to Lynyrd Skynyrd, likes hometown southern country values, thinks he's tougher than he is, and doesn't like being told what to do. But when it comes to the truck with a nazi flag bumper sticker on it, you know with damn near 100% certainty that that guy is crazy and probably dangerous.

This is absolutely the correct take.

Where do you see Confederate flags in popular culture? Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Dukes of Hazzard.

Where do you see Nazi flags in popular culture? Inglorious Basterds and the Man in the High Castle.

[dead0man]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

[Person Man]

What was worse ? Enslaving tens of millions of people over the course of 250 years or killing tens of millions of people over the course of 10?

[Kahane's Grave Is A Gender-Neutral Bathroom]

The Nazi flag is banned in Germany and the CSA flag should be banned here.

[Aurelius]

The Nazi flag is banned in Germany and the CSA flag should be banned here.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Beyond that, freedom of speech is good. It doesn't exist at all if we only have it for things we agree with. I'm also laughing at the thought of government officials going around confiscating cars from Dukes of Hazzard fans.

[Person Man]

The Nazi flag is banned in Germany and the CSA flag should be banned here.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Beyond that, freedom of speech is good. It doesn't exist at all if we only have it for things we agree with. I'm also laughing at the thought of government officials going around confiscating cars from Dukes of Hazzard fans.

If you can burn any flag, you can fly any flag. For now. That does not make you immune to someone legally retaliating in kind.

[Samof94]

Yes, it is equal.

[PSOL]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

[dead0man]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

I'll agree that it's probably wise to be more leery of a flyer of a swastika over a flyer of a PRC or USSR flag, but it's still flying the flag of violent, authoritarian racists.

Not the same, but similar.

[PSOL]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

I'll agree that it's probably wise to be more leery of a flyer of a swastika over a flyer of a PRC or USSR flag, but it's still flying the flag of violent, authoritarian racists.

Not the same, but similar.

Not similar at all, the demographics are different and in the American context the USSR flag is an anti-racist symbol.

[Goldwater]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

I'll agree that it's probably wise to be more leery of a flyer of a swastika over a flyer of a PRC or USSR flag, but it's still flying the flag of violent, authoritarian racists.

Not the same, but similar.

Not similar at all, the demographics are different and in the American context the USSR flag is an anti-racist symbol.

That's a weird way of spelling "only used by edgy 14 year old communists".

[Ferguson97]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

I'll agree that it's probably wise to be more leery of a flyer of a swastika over a flyer of a PRC or USSR flag, but it's still flying the flag of violent, authoritarian racists.

Not the same, but similar.

Not similar at all, the demographics are different and in the American context the USSR flag is an anti-racist symbol.

Maybe to those who have never opened a single history book in their lives.

[Samof94]

similar, sure.  Also similar:PRC flag, USSR flag.

The people that fly the PRC flag are usually rich Chinese expats or Chinese student associations with very little understanding of Chinese politics. Very few pro-PRC people actually fly that flag instead of their own banners.

The USSR flag flyers are disproportionately queer, interstate white migrants in larger metros, and addicted to awful vaporware music—probably the worst trend to catch on among the left—and disproportionately nonviolent compared to the general population. Not at all comparable to the real danger of a swastika flyer.

I'll agree that it's probably wise to be more leery of a flyer of a swastika over a flyer of a PRC or USSR flag, but it's still flying the flag of violent, authoritarian racists.

Not the same, but similar.

Not similar at all, the demographics are different and in the American context the USSR flag is an anti-racist symbol.

Maybe to those who have never opened a single history book in their lives.

Or don’t live in Ukraine

[Aurelius]

The answer is obviously no in most contexts. The confederate flag's intent actually does depend on the context, unlike the Nazi flag which is essentially synonymous with the Holocaust no matter when and where it's used. And I think everyone here knows this too, by the way.

To test that, imagine you're in a parking lot and you see a truck with a confederate flag bumper sticker on it and elsewhere in the lot you see a truck with a swastika bumper sticker. Which one of those guys are you more eager to avoid?

With the confederate flag truck, it very well could belong to a dangerous member of a hate group, but more likely it's just some tone-deaf fat guy who listens to Lynyrd Skynyrd, likes hometown southern country values, thinks he's tougher than he is, and doesn't like being told what to do. But when it comes to the truck with a nazi flag bumper sticker on it, you know with damn near 100% certainty that that guy is crazy and probably dangerous.

Saw a guy with Valknut and Sonnenrad tattoos a few weeks ago. Got the f**k away from him as fast as I could, even though this was in a very public place. Seeing a confederate flag inspires no such reaction.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Obviously, no.

[Middle-aged Europe]

You sometimes see Confederate flags even in Germany. I think people do this for varying reasons.

For some, it certainly serves as proxy for other flags that are not quite socially acceptable in Germany, if not illegal.

But I'm sure that the other subset of Germans to display this flag really have no idea of American history, and for them, the flag merely symbolizes 'Southern' values such as 'pickup truck' 'barbeque' 'Harley Davidson' or 'cowboy hat.'

It is my impression that Confederate flag users in Germany use it as some kind of symbol of "rebellion" and "freedom".

That can be the case because the people in question actually know the flag from The Dukes of Hazzard (which I happened to watch as a kid too, along with The Fall Guy and The A-Team ).

But I have also gotten the impression that an above-average portion of the people keen on displaying their "rebel" status with the Confederate flag are probably AfD voters, alt-righters, Reichsbürger etc. - judging from the flags and symbols they like to display alongside the Confederate flag.

[HisGrace]

While I'm not going to say anything normatively good about the Confederacy the Nazis were obviously far, far worse, which says more about them than it does about the confederates.

Also, while I don't think people should fly confederate flags, some people genuinely do it without malice intended whereas no one is wearing a swastika just as a "German heritage" thing.

[Meclazine for Israel]

The Nazi flag is banned in Germany and the CSA flag should be banned here.

Displaying the Swastika and or the Nazi flag in public in Victoria is now banned.

Queensland and New South Wales to follow suit.