 |
What does the Rebel Flag Really Mean?Which one? There were several flags designed for the Confederate States of America, the most famous one being the "Southern Cross". This is the one that has the most controversy around it.Some people say that flying the Southern Cross is like flying a swastika. They say it represents the oppression of black people. Flying the flag, they say, means you want the South to "rise again"; and if you want the South to rise again, then you want to put people back into slavery. Other folks say that it means no such thing. The Southern Cross was simply a battle flag flown by the Confederacy in the War Between the States. They point out that the Stars 'n Stripes of the USA flew over slavery for generations -- whereas the Southern Cross existed a mere two years or so before slavery was no more. The flag, they say, is as much a part of Dixieland history as the land itself. People who want to remove the flag from the face of the earth are abolishing history. That's what these folk say. I reckon people are gonna be arguing about it until kingdom come. Personally, I think it'd be a shame to never see it again. It's a pretty flag, and it is a part of history whether your read that history with shame or pride. Reckon each one of us has to decide for ourselves what the flag means and what our motives are if we display it. --Bo Dixie
|
Stars 'n Bars
Rebel flag used at beginning of the War Between the States. Near-sighted soldiers couldn't tell it from the "Stars 'n Stripes" of the USA.
Southern Cross Rebel flag used by the end of the war. Navy Jack
Elongated Southern Cross flown by the Confederate navy. |