University of Mississippi Lowers State Flag with Confederate Symbol
The University of Mississippi recently took down its state flag, which had the Confederate battle emblem on it, because it had received complaints from student leaders. Although the student government had voted 33 to 15 to remove the flag, some state leaders were against it, such as State Senator Chris McDaniel (a Republican). He said that a public university is not a "cocoon designed for coddling the feelings of the perpetually offended". What do you think the Confederate symbol represents? Do you think the Confederate flag should be removed? Would a Democrat react differently to this situation, and if so, how?
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The question of the Confederate flag is very tricky. Some people claim that it represents their heritage, but to most it is nothing but a symbol of racism. If it were up to me, I would have all of the Confederate flags taken down immediately, but I understand where certain Southerners are coming from to a point. For me, the telling sign is the year in which the flag was flown. The fact that the Confederate flag was not added to the Mississippi flag until the 1890s, years after the war was over, tells me that the citizens added it as a symbol of defiance. It is similar to the situation in South Carolina, where the flag was not flown at the capital until the 1960s to protest the Civil Rights movement. Only if the flag was added during the war would I possibly consider culture a legitimate reason to keep the flag. Today, it is a symbol for an oppressive society. I think that the flag issue is so controversial at this point that it is hard to classify people by their political party.
ReplyDeleteI think in the current political climate, the university would only seem racist if it left the flag containing the confederate battle emblem standing on school grounds. Regardless of what people consider to be their heritage, the flag has become an iconic symbol of racism in today's times, and would more than likely drive people who think this way away from the university. If a democrat were in office at the time of the flag being taken down, there would more than likely have been more support for the action the school took. The influence that a senator can hold would probably be able to sway local popular opinion in favor of taking down the flag, and could make the difference in creating a more open environment in which these ideas and sentiments can spread.
ReplyDeleteI am not quite sure what the Confederate flag represents. I think it depends whom you ask. To some, it means slavery and racism. To others, freedom as they were free to separate themselves from the United States before the Civil War. To other, it doesn't really mean anything except a part of US history. Personally, I would take all the flags down, not only because it can be offensive to people, but also because it makes it look like the South is still a sort of separate area from the rest of the United States. A Democrat would probably support the flag being taken down, as democrats (for the most part) support the minority groups and are for equality, etc. The Confederate flag is very controversial and I think it will take some time for the issue to be over. It took years for slavery to end after all, why should we think that racism would take less time?
ReplyDeleteI think people need to think about the fact that this flag has been here for years. Why are people suddenly against it? Why now? It's the changing circumstances, but does taking the flag down really change anything? It's not showing the university promotes slavery. I really don't think the flag needed to be removed as it's been there for years and caused no problems, but if the majority of people on campus wanted it to be taken down then so be it.
ReplyDeleteI think the university is just acknowledging their past and maybe their democratic right to stand up for their beliefs? Their beliefs and ideals, especially towards slavery, has changed, yet I think the Confederate flag just represents and acknowledges their past and their steps to move past and improve their future.
A Democrat would probably support taking the flag down since they promote racial equality and liberal ideas.
I think we need to remember that the flag they took down wasn't the confederate flag but the state flag (which has a confederate symbol on it). Therefore, because it is a public university of the state of Mississippi, the university of Mississippi should be able to raise the state flag. However, there can be no question that the confederate symbol should be taken off of the state flag. The symbol stands for hatred and racism and can't be a part of any public institution; people can fly them at their houses, but they can't be a public symbol. A democrat would most likely be more inclined to see the flag removed but there are those on both sides who agree it is an abomination to have that symbol in a public place.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, I don't really think that students who don't want to see a racist symbol every time they walk to class are asking to be "coddled". I couldn't imagine being black and being reminded daily of the atrocities suffered by my ancestors.
ReplyDeleteThe issue here is that this racist symbol just happens to also be part of the state's official flag. Yes, it's a part of the state's history, but it's not exactly a shining part of its history. Imagine if instead of the confederate symbol, there was a picture of a KKK robe on the flag. Then I don't think there'd be anyone trying to defend the flag.
The confederate symbol is something much less tangible than a KKK robe, and yet, it's just as real to those who are descendants of those who had to deal with KKK robes and confederate symbols firsthand.
I don't see why people dislike the conferdate flag so much. Many people think it is a racist symbol, but I think it's just a historical emblem that makes the southerners proud to be from the south. It's a cultural thing. It aslo represents states rights. Many southerners still hold grudges with the north today. Many northerns sometimes feel they are superior to the south today as well. Being from the north, I will not judge their culture. If they want to use the confererate flag, than they should. Of course the vote decided that it should be taken down, so it will be taken down.
ReplyDeleteFrom my point of view I think the confederate flag shouldn't be at any state buildings or state schools and should be taken down in all public circumstances. Of course there are many Southerners that feel that it's apart if their heritage and it undoubtedly apart of their history and we should respect that. But for many it symbolizes racism and oppression, especially for African-Americans and that cannot be ignored.I would imagine a Democrat would be more quick to take down the flag because of their more liberal views.
ReplyDeleteAs said by previous comments I agree on the basis that the Confederate flag can resemble numerous different things depending on who it is perceived by. In some cases the flag is seen as a symbol of heritage as well as freedom, or on the other hand it can be seen as racist symbol. Either way you look at it the viewpoint towards the flag is going to be from one of two extremes, there is no middle meeting ground. In my opinion I agree with the University's vote to take down the flag because in my eyes I think it symbolizes racism more than freedom in modern day, especially with the racial issues these past few years. I think taking down the flag shows that the university will not tolerate racial segregation concerning modern day issues or past issues on any level.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I see that flag as an unquestionable sign of racism and oppression on the whole, and therefore inherently something that should not be used to represent our country, a state, or even a school. I understand that some claim it to be a sign of heritage, yet I question those that want their heritage to then be linked also to the other pasts of that flag. Furthermore, during the 1960's and the Civil Rights movement, this flag began to be flown once again, out of nowhere, because of what it represented in accordance with our country's past. To me, there is no way to de-link the flag from that part of it's past, and therefore I think that there is no reason to wave it on any grounds. More so than that, I think that the flag represents a vital opportunity for us as a people to choose to make a stand to defend racial equality and the humane and fair treatment of every person. I think that the ability to make that stand is important in itself to this country, and gives yet another reason to support the school's actions, as I do. As to whether or not a Democrat would have acted differently, it's possible, but it is also possible that if they were raised in Mississippi that they would still support its waving, and I truly wouldn't be able to tell you which I think is more likely.
ReplyDeleteThis issue comes down to changing circumstances and public opinion, similar to that of the welfare program that we discussed in class. I was always taught that the stars and bars were a symbol of slavery as opposed to heritage. This would probably be opposite if I went to school anywhere below the Mason Dixon line. Even 150 years after a civil war, America is torn in such a debate that is more than Red America and Blue America, it's a debate on the history of our nation and it is time that the debate is settled with these flags being taken down. It's better for America that the flag is taken down, as hopefully it will bring forth a more sense of unity in our country between regions.
ReplyDeleteIf I go to Germany, should I expect to see the Nazi flag or variations of it flying in front of government buildings and public universities? No. I shouldn’t. So why should I expect to see a Confederate flag on the side of the road if I take a road trip to Florida? What most people don’t realize is the current “Confederate Flag” never actually represented the Confederate States. The Confederate States of America had three official flag over its lifespan. The first one did not display anything resembling the current “Confederate Flag.” The second and third had a small representation of the “Confederate Flag” in a corner. The third one was never heavily manufactured so most people never saw it. The flag was brought into common use throughout the years AFTER the Civil War for two reasons. One was southern pride; the other was an attempt to revive the confederacy. The latter has slowly taken spotlight from the former. Nowadays if you are flying a Confederate Flag you are most likely masking your vile racism for “Southern Pride.” If you were proud of the South, why on earth would you highlight such a dark time in your history? Because racism, that’s why. Racism is so deeply ingrained in the South that I’m not sure we will reverse that any time soon. The Confederate Flag has no relevant historical context to the events people think they are tied to. Their arguments of heritage are null and void. The Ku Klux Klan flies the Confederate Flag along with their own. How can people be content knowing a flag flown by one of the most despised groups in America can be found on state flags, government buildings and even their own doorstep? Because racism, that’s why. Of course a Democrat would react differently than a Republican. They would probably be perfectly ok with removing that despicable symbol. I know I am.
ReplyDeleteAGREE.
DeleteWhen most Americans see a Confederate flag, the first thing that comes to mind is probably slavery in the south. If I were a student at that school I wouldn’t want to see that flag every day.
ReplyDeleteI understand that people in the south say the flag is part of their heritage and are proud of it, but it’s a sign of racism and it reminds people of a bad time in American history; whites in the south shouldn’t be proud that their ancestors enslaved other people. People are free to hang it in their homes, but it shouldn’t be seen in government or other public buildings. Since the Confederate symbol is a part of the state flag, Mississippi should consider changing their flag. A democrat would support the vote to take the flag down.
The confederate symbol should not have any place in public, except for in a museum. The confederate symbol is not a symbol of southern pride; it is a symbol of racism. The University of Mississippi had every right to take the flag down, even though the law adopts the current Mississippi flag. In my opinion, this law needs to be reevaluated; no current national or state flag should have a symbol representing the divide of the nation, especially when the symbol represents those who were on a side fighting to keep slavery. It is absolutely disgusting to think that some people are still in support of the confederate flag.
ReplyDeleteMembers of the two parties might react differently to this situation. However, since the two parties may not clearly define everyone’s views, that does not necessarily mean that all Republicans would not want the flag to be taken down. I am sure that some Republicans would also agree that the confederate symbol should not be supported at all in today’s society and should not be a symbol on any current flag.
The confederate flag is a highly controversial debate. I have known many people who proudly displayed the confederate flag on their car bumper stickers, in front of their houses, on their Facebook pages, on clothing, etc. I also know many people who regard the confederate flag as a terrible symbol. The flag that we perceive to be the confederate flag was actually never a national flag of the CSA; it was the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia. That flag with Stars and Stripes genuinely does not represent white supremacy, and instead the culture of the Antebellum South. However, there was a flag of the Confederacy that was completely white that expressed the supremacy of the white man.
ReplyDeleteMany people voted against the display of the flag, therefore that is their decision and it should be upheld. Whether the flag is a symbol of oppression is up for debate. It is completely understandable why people find it offensive, regardless of what it's actually supposed to mean, just like the swastika is actually a positive symbol but is rightfully viewed in a negative light by society. However, it should be worth mentioning that flags like the rebel flag and the Nazi swastika are viewed negatively, but flags of equally oppressive regimes such as the Islamic State and the Soviet Union are not regarded as negatively...
Whether bearers of it would like to believe or not, the confederate flag represents at symbol of discrmination and racism. While bearers get to decide what it means to them, everyone else has to bear the rest. Confederate flags should absolutely be removed. Whether someone of any affiliation disagrees with that statement or not is of no concern to me otherwise, as supporters of the flag don't bear the same reality of its opponents.
ReplyDelete