Apple Pie
I will never understand how this symbol can be seen as socially acceptable.
Our area that hosts a large country music festival every summer. Thousands of rednecks gather together for this drunken celebration that gives them the opportunity to show too much skin, act like idiots and get a hangover that lasts well into the next week. On that weekend people who don't listen to country music any other time of year are suddenly yeehaw-ing and looking for a new-but-used-looking pair of camouflage shorts to go with their new cowboy hat. The good ol' boys fill their big, noisy trucks with the largest coolers of beer they can find, even temporarily removing their gun rack to make space, if they need to. To top off this All-American weekend, plenty of the above flags will be flying, worn as capes or bathing suits, or used as tent toppers.
How can it be ok to display a symbol that for thousands, no, millions, of people represents hatred, racism, oppression, and violence? I've heard all of the arguments.... that it's a Southern pride thing, that people that fly this flag are not necessarily racist, that it's a symbol against the government, that 'I just love Hank'........ who cares?
I find it rude, offensive, ignorant and disgusting that this flag is used for anything other than a history lesson.
The music festival I mentioned is next weekend. As people are gearing up, more of these flags are cropping up around the valley. I just can't wait until one day my daughters notice these and ask me what they're for and what do they represent. Imagine the pride I'll feel as I explain it to her that the guy on the street doesn't hate her, directly, he's just proud of what the Confederacy stood for. And he loves H@nk Willi@ms, Jr.
We will be retreating to the woods that weekend. We're taking the girls camping, 3 hours in the opposite direction.
posted by Jenny and Matt @ 9:21 PM
14 Comments:
I was just having this conversation with someone whose son had the flag in their senior photos. Ugh. He is from Ohio - Ohio didn't have a horse in that race and if it did, it wouldn't have been flying the confederate flag. I see lots of those flags down south here.
And if that music festival is the one across the border I think it might be - I've heard it is a big drunken weekend.
My kids know that that is a HUGE no-no for our family!They tell kids at school what a nasty sign of ignorance that flad is and yes - I have gotten phone calls for it - and our family stands our ground on that one!
I too feel that yuck deep in my stomach about that flag. I know I had relatives that fought in that war - we even have confederate money -that was passed down. But we do not feel pride - at all - just great remorse for the ignorance that once led people to think for a minute that slavery was in any way shape or form OK in the least bit.
The sight of that flag makes me sick.
Ignorance is every where -we just have to be willing to be the better ones that educate and raise the bar:)
Your girls are blessed to have you :)
I just wish people would wake up - it is 2008 - hello the war is over and the South LOST - and thank God they did!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you guys!
Ever since I moved to this area I've wanted to (and sometimes been able to) GET THE HECKOUTTA DODGE during "that weekend". I wouldn't go there on a bet. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who feels the same way. I think I have my answer, lol.
I think those that fly those flags have no idea about the history behind it. They just see it as a "rebel" flag, and they are showing how much of a rebel they are by flying it.
I just think they are showing how much of an ass they are!
I have never really offered an opinion regarding the flag but do feel that a lot of it is ignorance. However, I have went to Jamboree and feel that not everyone goes there for the drinking and ridiculous behavior. A lot of people truely like to hear the music and see the bands that they otherwise wouldn't get to see. I don't feel that the whole celebration in the area should be shunned for the ignorance of some. that statement is true for a lot of activities around the globe. Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on the actions of the wrong instead of the great efforts of the right.
Anonymous,
You're right. I went to Jamboree a couple of times myself in my youth, and though I don't drink, I did have a good time.
Some people do still go for the music.
The people that suddenly turn into country music fans for 4 days each year so they can go party have always made me laugh. On some people it seems so false.
My rant, however, is not about the Jamboree. It's about the flag. And at this time of year, because of the jamboree, it's more visible than usual. I hate that.
Sign your name next time, I won't bite.
I've seen that flag in my home state, too. COLORADO. Yea, seriously. That just makes me shake my head every time. I think the "get out of dodge" weekend is a great idea! Have a great time! And post lots and lots and lots of pictures *cough cough* ;)
I think you need to get a life!!!! The flag is just a flag of the south, if you consider it racist or about slavery than you are the idiot. Just because you have an opinion maybe you should keep it to yourself. If people like to flag than there is nothing wrong with it. Everyone has a right to hang the rebel flag if they want to, or wear the colors as clothing or anything else they choose. And it doesn't make them racist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cindy in Moundsville WV. And I'm not racist, I have several first and second cousins that are black. The last time I wrote you, it never appeared on your blog, because I didn't agree with YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy
Just as you're allowed to like the flag, I'm allowed to dislike it.... And express my opinion on it, just as you did. That's America.
I have heard some people say that flag doesn't stand for racism for them. But for a LOT of people it does. For a LOT of people it is very offensive and represents hatred. With it's history, I don't understand why people would WANT to wave that flag.
My opinion, my blog.
I agree! I am always stunned by the fact there is any "pride" of what the south represented in the civil war. It always makes me wonder if there are cars in germany with swastikas on them to show "history not hate"?
Jenny...
I think this was a very well written post.
Well said.
But my, oh my... did you stir up a small hornets nest....
:)
Happy 4th of July!!
I've always been amused how the local newscasters say "Once again, the Jamboree has been a great success. Everything went so smoothly and it seems like everyone has had such a wonderful time." Oddly enough, they never report the 20 DUI's, 100 citations for public intox, about 50 tickets for underage drinking, a few dozen for illegal drugs. And then there's a ton of violence that often goes unreported. I'd say about 100 misdemeanor assualts and a handful of felony assualts. Tons of injuries, broken bones, and alcohol related mishaps. Maybe the truth is that things didn't go that smoothly after all.
I know, I know - it's such a great benefit to the local economy. This argument might have some slight merit. Seriously though, it's a little ironic that I have a sober perspective of Jamboree in the Hills (admittedly, I'm a pretty heavy drinker for the most part). It gives you the chance to see that Jambo is nothing more than a total drunk fest. The music is mostly poor - of the pop-country ilk these days with a spattering of quality veteran performers.
As for the confederate flag, I think you can lump it together with all the misguided, overused symbols. I've always thought that individuals who excessively wave flags or pierce their genitals or tattoo their necks or adorn themselves with crosses or swastikas or get oversized breat implants or wear ridiculously loud clothing - all these people usually have one thing in commom. THEY LOVE THE ATTENTION but when you inquire about their beliefs and test them, they seem to grow strangely silent. It's always easy to jump on a bandwagon but it becomes much more difficult when you have to back it up with words. When it comes to the Confederate Flag especially, I'd bet only 3% or so could make a credible effort to substantiate their thoughts. Many would yell, Git'r'dun, Woo-Hoo, etc. Beyond that there would be no coherent discussion. I have tolerance for all symbols. Just make sure you can offer a verbal explanation. If you cannot pass this simple test, your display has little meaning.
My name is Eric Saferstein and I approve of just about everything I say.
I don't have anything particularly original to say, but I would like to quote from the Onion's take on the evolution of Southerners:
"The way things stand, things in the Deep South almost have to get better. Otherwise, the people who live there will devolve into preverbal, overall-wearing sub-morons within a century," said Professor Dennis Lassiter of Princeton University. "Either Southerners will start improving themselves, or they'll be sold to middle-class Asians as pets."
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28559
I know it's mean and not particularly helpful to poke fun at ignorance, but it's late and I'm tired.
I love you guys!! Thank you for opening up this important dialog.
bon
Cindy,
You don't get to decide what a symbol means. The swastika cannot suddenly become a sign of innocent German pride just because a few Germans say so. If it was once the symbol of rebellion against a free society for all, it is always a symbol rebelling against a free society for all.
Besides, Cindy, you know perfectly well what your flag means, and so do we. You're not fooling anyone, related to African Americans or not.
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