I Am Jealous

[jeffpugh]

[quote name='Nadezhda' post='1907242' date='Jul 1 2009, 03:31 PM']Stick with Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird!) and be aware that the Confederate flag has different connotations depending where you are in the US. Some are good, some aren't.

[/quote]
You might have to explain, 'cause the gift shop at the Lincoln Memorial seemed to think they're harmless

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1907320' date='Jul 1 2009, 05:27 PM']You might have to explain, 'cause the gift shop at the Lincoln Memorial seemed to think they're harmless [/quote]

Well, from my experience Southerners are really proud of it, it's like a badge of honor I guess. Northerners tend to think it's ridiculous in a "newsflash, you guys lost that war" kind of way (some are more negative about that than others), or they just don't care. I was once told by a Southerner that they care more about it because they have grown up with the marks of the Civil War all around them because it was fought on their land. Northerners don't understand because we are separated from the "remnants" left behind. Something to that effect.

(I really hope I'm not offending anyone with that generalization, I really don't have an opinion on it one way or another. I don't get it but I don't mean to put it down either.)

[hoosieranna]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1907320' date='Jul 1 2009, 04:27 PM']You might have to explain, 'cause the gift shop at the Lincoln Memorial seemed to think they're harmless [/quote]

I've not been to D.C. aside from the airport, so your impressions of the place are more accurate than mine. One of the positive meanings claimed for the Stars and Bars is that it is a reminder of history and regional pride. On the other hand, it can be a symbol of a very dark period in US history. It has also occasionally been claimed as a symbol by racist groups. It depends on context and where a person is from. I hesitate to recommend Wikipedia as a source, but the section on "controversies" is actually pretty good. Here's the link: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_Confederate_States_of_America"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flags_of_the_...ates_of_America[/url]

Like I said, it really depends on context.

edit: I really hope I haven't caused offense. You and Cat are two of my better PM buds.

Edited July 1, 2009 by Nadezhda

[she_who_is_not]

[quote name='IcePrincessKRS' post='1907434' date='Jul 1 2009, 04:36 PM']Well, from my experience Southerners are really proud of it, it's like a badge of honor I guess. Northerners tend to think it's ridiculous in a "newsflash, you guys lost that war" kind of way (some are more negative about that than others), or they just don't care. I was once told by a Southerner that they care more about it because they have grown up with the marks of the Civil War all around them because it was fought on their land. Northerners don't understand because we are separated from the "remnants" left behind. Something to that effect.

(I really hope I'm not offending anyone with that generalization, I really don't have an opinion on it one way or another. I don't get it but I don't mean to put it down either.)[/quote]


A southern history class I took in college examined the thesis that Southern culture is markedly different from the rest of the country because the South is the only region to be defeated and occupied in war. I think that is a more diplomatic version of the old Blame it on the Re-Re-Re-Re-Reconstruction song and dance.

Personally, I only use the flag as a way to irritate arrogant, ignorant, carpetbagging yankees. I think most people who overtly display or promote the public display of the confederate flag are trashy. I think that there are contexts where display is appropriate. The grave of a confederate soldier, perhaps. I think most people are just looking for a way to be controversial.

[hoosieranna]

[quote name='she_who_is_not' post='1907457' date='Jul 1 2009, 05:52 PM']A southern history class I took in college examined the thesis that Southern culture is markedly different from the rest of the country because the South is the only region to be defeated and occupied in war. I think that is a more diplomatic version of the old Blame it on the Re-Re-Re-Re-Reconstruction song and dance.

Personally, I only use the flag as a way to irritate arrogant, ignorant, carpetbagging yankees. I think most people who overtly display or promote the public display of the confederate flag are trashy. I think that there are contexts where display is appropriate. The grave of a confederate soldier, perhaps. I think most people are just looking for a way to be controversial.[/quote]

I'd not encountered that thesis before. It's interesting. I tried to be objective. I'll admit to some ignorance, but I have no intention of carpetbagging.

[MissyP89]

I am jealous of Mitch, too. I like Canada.

[missionseeker]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1906952' date='Jul 1 2009, 12:14 AM']My mom bought a mini confederate flag for the back window of our car So, that's not a problem. You could bring me some Southern Gospel music...[/quote]

You didn't tell me that.

My experience has been that white folks love it. Blacks can be offended by it, and whites are offended that blacks are offended.