Last week, CUSG released a document denouncing the display of Confederate battle flags on campus. Because of the white supremacy and violence that the flag is known to symbolize, not only was this decision the right one, but it should be repeated at far more universities and public places.
The Confederate battle flag is not a way to represent Southern heritage, as some would claim, but is a symbol of hate and racism. This is coming from someone who was raised in the South, who grew up going to weekly meetings of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Children of the Confederacy, who was introduced to Southern society in a debutante ball organized and hosted by the Sons of the Confederacy. This is coming from someone who very much has a “foundational understanding” of Southern culture and the fundamental racism that many Southerners are all too eager to ignore.
CUSG and Clemson’s student body have been accused of being unknowledgeable and full of “hormone fueled ire,” yet these accusers are people who do not see harm in a flag representing racism, violence and a century- long system of slavery that still has lasting impacts today. There are claims that the Confederate battle flag is used as a symbol for Southern culture, to bring attention to the rich history of the South. However, when compared to other well-known flags that represent different cultures or types of people, there are clear differences.
The Confederate battle flag is not a way to represent Southern heritage, as some would claim, but is a symbol of hate and racism. This is coming from someone who was raised in the South, who grew up going to weekly meetings of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Children of the Confederacy, who was introduced to Southern society in a debutante ball organized and hosted by the Sons of the Confederacy. This is coming from someone who very much has a “foundational understanding” of Southern culture and the fundamental racism that many Southerners are all too eager to ignore.
CUSG and Clemson’s student body have been accused of being unknowledgeable and full of “hormone fueled ire,” yet these accusers are people who do not see harm in a flag representing racism, violence and a century- long system of slavery that still has lasting impacts today. There are claims that the Confederate battle flag is used as a symbol for Southern culture, to bring attention to the rich history of the South. However, when compared to other well-known flags that represent different cultures or types of people, there are clear differences.
For instance, the rainbow flag is a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community and is used to represent inclusivity and acceptance. The main message that people associate with that flag has nothing to do with the persecution of people not included within that community, nor the systematic enslavement of a certain group.
Even the Pan African flag, used to symbolize Black pride and unite people who have been marginalized and enslaved, did not serve as a representation of hatred for white people.
Both flags work to bring together a certain group of people within the United States, but they do not put down other groups as a result.
Meanwhile, the most innocent perception of the Confederate battle f lag, which ignores the danger and violence it means for people of color, allows it to be a way to recognize people who have called the South home for generations. These people are often white and privileged by their deep-rooted sense of belonging. Why such a population needs more recognition when the United States has catered to their needs and desires since its creation remains to be seen, and it is unlikely that plausible reasoning will become apparent as long as the Secessionist Party keeps attempting to disclaim its opponents through only shaky cries of misinformation, immaturity and ignorance.
Even the Pan African flag, used to symbolize Black pride and unite people who have been marginalized and enslaved, did not serve as a representation of hatred for white people.
Both flags work to bring together a certain group of people within the United States, but they do not put down other groups as a result.
Meanwhile, the most innocent perception of the Confederate battle f lag, which ignores the danger and violence it means for people of color, allows it to be a way to recognize people who have called the South home for generations. These people are often white and privileged by their deep-rooted sense of belonging. Why such a population needs more recognition when the United States has catered to their needs and desires since its creation remains to be seen, and it is unlikely that plausible reasoning will become apparent as long as the Secessionist Party keeps attempting to disclaim its opponents through only shaky cries of misinformation, immaturity and ignorance.
Since students at Clemson University are apparently experiencing “a tragic lack of understanding of South Carolina’s Confederate History,” let’s go over the facts.
What most people know as the “Confederate” flag was never actually used to represent the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. In fact, it was only used as the battle flag in General Robert E. Lee’s Virginian Army. Members of organizations related to the Confederacy congregate around the flag, but typically refer to it as the Confederate battle flag.
The Civil War began due to various factors, the largest of which was the debate over the systematic enslavement of human beings. Since the abolition of slavery would have had a large impact on the South’s financial situation, the war was also caused by money-related tensions. States belonging to the Confederate States of America also felt as if they had less representation than the states in the North, leaving them without a proper voice in the government. However, the largest and most noticeable cause of the war was the abolition of slavery. Recognizing something as “nuanced” does not mean giving undue attention to smaller, less effective matters from 150 years ago; it means acknowledging the true amount of influence that certain factors had on the war and realizing that the existence of multiple reasons does not take away from the importance of the main reason.
What most people know as the “Confederate” flag was never actually used to represent the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. In fact, it was only used as the battle flag in General Robert E. Lee’s Virginian Army. Members of organizations related to the Confederacy congregate around the flag, but typically refer to it as the Confederate battle flag.
The Civil War began due to various factors, the largest of which was the debate over the systematic enslavement of human beings. Since the abolition of slavery would have had a large impact on the South’s financial situation, the war was also caused by money-related tensions. States belonging to the Confederate States of America also felt as if they had less representation than the states in the North, leaving them without a proper voice in the government. However, the largest and most noticeable cause of the war was the abolition of slavery. Recognizing something as “nuanced” does not mean giving undue attention to smaller, less effective matters from 150 years ago; it means acknowledging the true amount of influence that certain factors had on the war and realizing that the existence of multiple reasons does not take away from the importance of the main reason.
The Confederate battle flag is also said to represent “the memory of the Confederate Soldier,” and there are many ideas of what such a soldier is meant to symbolize. A desire to defend one’s home is not partial to the South, especially considering the formation of the United States. Racism, violence and white supremacy, however, is a unique, common thread that seems to pop up whenever the Confederate battle flag is concerned.
Used as the face of countless hate organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party, it is no wonder steps are finally being taken against the Confederate battle f lag. This is a flag that makes people feel unsafe when they are out on the street, and how anyone can willingly associate with and defend something that symbolizes harm against others is a mystery.
Perhaps, instead of clinging to a flag used when the nation was lacking the ability to respect basic human rights and rocked by strife, the Secessionist Party and other organizations can seek out or create a new symbol for what they claim is nothing more than Southern pride and respect for Southern heritage. Either way, it is well past the time when displaying a Confederate battle f lag is condemned not only on the Clemson University campus, but everywhere.
Used as the face of countless hate organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party, it is no wonder steps are finally being taken against the Confederate battle f lag. This is a flag that makes people feel unsafe when they are out on the street, and how anyone can willingly associate with and defend something that symbolizes harm against others is a mystery.
Perhaps, instead of clinging to a flag used when the nation was lacking the ability to respect basic human rights and rocked by strife, the Secessionist Party and other organizations can seek out or create a new symbol for what they claim is nothing more than Southern pride and respect for Southern heritage. Either way, it is well past the time when displaying a Confederate battle f lag is condemned not only on the Clemson University campus, but everywhere.
