The Governmental Display of the Confederate Flag Essay -- Expository E

The Governmental Display of the Confederate Flag The confederacy is dead. The Civil War is long over, and the United States has experienced much growth and development since its end, much of this due to the outcome of the war. A new, united America flourished throughout the late eighteen hundreds gaining a great deal of power through high levels of commerce and trade. There is no doubt that America is better off now because of the outcome of the War between the States. However, many of the symbols of the Civil War remain very active in the present world; they are very much alive and charged with meaning and power. Probably the best known among all of these symbols is the Confederate Battle Flag. The â€Å"rebel flag† has taken on many different meanings since its conception in the 1860’s. Unfortunately, today it is often associated with different hate groups and people who would wish it to be used as a symbol of oppression. Though we may be better off now as one united country, this freedom to rebel is what A merica was founded on over two hundred-fifty years ago. The men who fought for a better country in the Civil War were just as patriotic as the soldiers of the Revolutionary war. This is why it is so unfortunate to see their banner tarnished and defiled the way it often has been in the last several decades. However, it is also revered and glorified by many people and organizations. It’s spirit of sacrifice and nobility, and the patriotism demonstrated by the men who fought under it is often acknowledged and demonstrated through the public display of the Confederate Flag. The debate of which I write stems from the display, by certain state governments, of the Confederate Battle Flag both in its original form and i... ...rs, but also the generations of blacks who have suffered persecution. Persecution at the hands of people who wave the flag as a weapon of hatred; a sword that still cuts deeply today. These state governments recognize that these symbols are unwanted by a large portion of their population, or at least realize that bad publicity does them no good, and that it is necessary to change. I don’t see the Confederate Flag issue being resolved any time soon; as long as the different groups attach different meanings to the flag, they always have different opinions as to whether or not it should be displayed. Works Cited: Reed, John Shelton. â€Å"The Banner that won’t Stay Furled.† Southern Cultures. Spring 2002: 76. Darby, Joseph A. Darby Responds to Most Frequent Allegations Against Sanctions.† Editorial. The Post and Courier [Charleston, SC] 16 May 2001: A7. The Governmental Display of the Confederate Flag Essay -- Expository E The Governmental Display of the Confederate Flag The confederacy is dead. The Civil War is long over, and the United States has experienced much growth and development since its end, much of this due to the outcome of the war. A new, united America flourished throughout the late eighteen hundreds gaining a great deal of power through high levels of commerce and trade. There is no doubt that America is better off now because of the outcome of the War between the States. However, many of the symbols of the Civil War remain very active in the present world; they are very much alive and charged with meaning and power. Probably the best known among all of these symbols is the Confederate Battle Flag. The â€Å"rebel flag† has taken on many different meanings since its conception in the 1860’s. Unfortunately, today it is often associated with different hate groups and people who would wish it to be used as a symbol of oppression. Though we may be better off now as one united country, this freedom to rebel is what A merica was founded on over two hundred-fifty years ago. The men who fought for a better country in the Civil War were just as patriotic as the soldiers of the Revolutionary war. This is why it is so unfortunate to see their banner tarnished and defiled the way it often has been in the last several decades. However, it is also revered and glorified by many people and organizations. It’s spirit of sacrifice and nobility, and the patriotism demonstrated by the men who fought under it is often acknowledged and demonstrated through the public display of the Confederate Flag. The debate of which I write stems from the display, by certain state governments, of the Confederate Battle Flag both in its original form and i... ...rs, but also the generations of blacks who have suffered persecution. Persecution at the hands of people who wave the flag as a weapon of hatred; a sword that still cuts deeply today. These state governments recognize that these symbols are unwanted by a large portion of their population, or at least realize that bad publicity does them no good, and that it is necessary to change. I don’t see the Confederate Flag issue being resolved any time soon; as long as the different groups attach different meanings to the flag, they always have different opinions as to whether or not it should be displayed. Works Cited: Reed, John Shelton. â€Å"The Banner that won’t Stay Furled.† Southern Cultures. Spring 2002: 76. Darby, Joseph A. Darby Responds to Most Frequent Allegations Against Sanctions.† Editorial. The Post and Courier [Charleston, SC] 16 May 2001: A7.