There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding the Confederate flag: whether it should be taken down from public spaces, if it’s a symbol of racism or heritage. There are plenty of arguments that I may indulge in at another time. For now I have one question, mainly for those who fly the flag of the South, the Confederate flag. Is it unpatriotic to fly the Confederate flag, a flag that represents states that wanted to secede to start their own nation? A nation that wished to continue to enslave people and treat them less than human? The flag is a part of American history, but in what way does it show that its supporters are “proud Americans?’
I ask this question because I recently rode behind a truck on the interstate that had an American flag on the left side, and a Confederate flag on the right side. “Why do they have two flags? What’s the other flag?” inquired my curious 4-year-old niece. After explaining to her that Confederate flag represented the Confederacy, I too began to ask the question, to question whether the confederate flag is unpatriotic in a sense.
I’ve heard the argument that flying the flag today is an act or symbol of treason. I disagree. There is no betrayal in simply wearing the flag or waving it. As far as I know, confederate flag supporters have neither waged a war or tried to overthrow our government. The flag does represent a nation that wishes to break allegiances with the United States, but the Civil War happened and the dust has settled (or you would think, at least). Ironically though, something I’ve observed is that the flag is very often coupled with the United States flag. As a nation that formed out of opposition of the Constitution and beliefs of the United States, the Confederate flag has a unique connotation in relation to the United States’ flag. In better words, having a Jamaican flag and an American flag shows pride in two different countries and cultures. The Confederate flag and the United States flag also show pride in two countries and cultures -- except one country (the Confederacy) formed because its (potential) people didn’t want to be a part of the other country (the United States) because it wanted to take away their “state rights” (no longer permitted them to own slaves; again, another argument for another article).
With this interesting and special factor in the mix, I want to know if those who consider themselves proud holders of the Confederate flag are considered unpatriotic, or at least less patriotic American citizens. Surely you must not be as prideful and devoted to what the United States stand for if you want to hold on to a symbol of opposition, a symbol of rebellion to those principles. Perhaps I am missing a key ingredient to make this all work, especially since some of the most “proud Americans” seem to support the flag. I welcome anyone to fill me in. Does waving the Confederate flag make people less patriotic?
