Reply #265: pretty surely it does.

[NuttyFluffers]

1/2 my family is sourthern. my ancestry had members fight on both sides of that war. it was a dead symbol for most sane people for ages, only blatant racists brought it from the ashes in defiance of changes made in reconstruction. of course racism is a huge component of it.

here's a simple thing, for all the people proud of southern heritage and yet still try to support this flag, did anyone ask WHY this symbol? why not a less controversial symbol? why not a symbol divorced from such bitter feelings, a flag based on happier, more pleasant memories and traditions? why didn't they make a new emblem of the ideals they idealize? why must it be THIS FLAG? isn't that a big fucking, 'Captain Obvious,' clue?

it was chosen specifically for the bitterness, for the divisiveness, for the darker, more evil, vicious memories and idealized traditions by a particular group. they wanted division, and now several liberal southerners are now all confused because of it. it was this intention *from the beginning* WHY this symbol was chosen. no other reason. because if they really wanted to celebrate southern culture, with its gentility and proper manners, why would they choose something that causes so much 'un-southern-like' animosity and uncivility. it is the very point to cause division, rancor, and poison, with a very thin veneer of 'respectability.'

for all of those who love your southern culture, go make another symbol. go, be creative, encapsulate all the honor, getility, chivalry, etc. you want into a NEW FLAG. hell, it's been all these years, WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE IT ALREADY? go! go make a new flag and end this discussion. if you really loved your southern culture you could look beyond its darkest time and find something more beautiful to represent it. THAT is the real issue. the ball is in your court now.