When I see a confederate flag, I’m immediately engulfed with feelings of uneasiness. Discrimination, racism and bigotry infiltrate my thoughts as I walk on eggshells fearing the judgment of the individual touting this symbol. When I see a confederate flag, I’m reminded that the color of my skin speaks louder than any words of equality I could ever mutter. When I see a Confederate flag, I’m no longer a person — I’m property.
Confederate flags originated in the 1860s right around the time of the Civil War, a war in which was based upon the abolishment of slavery. The North was in favor of ending slavery, while the South, unfortunately, was not. To remind the northern states of how much they disapproved their decision to end slavery, the southern states seceded, creating their own confederacy of 13 states. With hopes in becoming their own nation, the Confederate flag was, sadly, created. While the national American flag symbolizes freedom, the Confederate flag inherently symbolizes racism, intolerance and treason.
While people may argue that the Confederate flag does not, in fact, symbolize racism, they may find that their argument easily falls into rants of inconsistent personal opinions and a lack of knowledge of U.S history. Because of the boundless amount of cotton produced by the South, the Southerners believed that the only way to make a profit out of it would be to harbor slaves to do the picking under indescribable circumstances. The possibility of the Civil War abolishing slavery would eventually put this sadistically profitable business to an end. The mere thought of ending their main source of income inspired Southerners to secede and create a flag which to this day resonates with its representation of racism.
The problem with the Confederate flag is that it reminds people of a harsh time when citizens of the United States were treated inhumanely because of the color of their skin. This flag is a representation that all men are not created equally. Not only is it disrespectful to African-Americans and many other races, but it’s also highly disrespectful to the strong men and women who bravely fought for our country to end this malicious cycle of slavery.
While it may be a symbol of Southern pride, to others, it symbolizes a period of white supremacy. The Confederate flag will never be an accepted symbol among African-Americans, Northerners, or to the families of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The feelings that resonate with those of Jewish descent toward the Swastika are the same as those African-Americans feel about the Confederate flag.
Coming from a self-anointed Southern Belle, who’s grown up chasing fire flies, sipping sweet tea from Mason jars, and who knows the true essence of Southern charm itself, nothing says hatred like the proud wave of the Confederate flag.
