November 6, 2003
The Stars and Bars
First, let me say that I am a northerner. A Yankee. My great-great grandfather was a Union Soldier who took a bullet in the head (and survived!) during the Civil War.
I am also married to a woman of color. I use that term and not "African American" because she is Brazilian, not American. She is definitely not white. She is a stunning beauty whos racial heritage comes from Africa, Europe, and South America.
I make those two statements in order to remove any false conclusions on the part of the reader about what I am going to say next:
I like the Confederate flag. While my early affinity for the Stars and Bars may have something to do with a boyhood fascination for the Dukes of Hazard, today it is much more than that.
The South is my adopted home. I live and work in Central Florida. It has also been my privilege to travel through various southern states in the course of the last six years. Below are some conclusions I have come to during this time.
1. Southerners are no more racist than northerners. In all actuality, I have recieved more "comments" about the interracial nature of my marriage while above the Mason Dixon line than while below it.
2. Prejudice against southerners is just as wrong as prejudice against a particular race. People from the South have a good sense of humor when it comes to their own culture. They are, however, getting a little tired of the condescending attitude with which they are treated by northerners. It is my sincere hope that Howard Dean gets the Democratic nod for president, because Bush--with his folksey ways and genuine Southern appeal--will crush him.
3. The Confederate flag is a national treasure, not a symbol of hate. The civil war is over. The North won. Must we seek to erradicate every vestige of Southern heritage? If we ban the Confederate flag, what is next? Dixie? Grits?
Of course this blog is about our ministry in Brazil. There is a connection. Shortly afte the Civil War, a group of ex-Confederates emigrated to Brazil at the invite of emperorn Dom Pedro II. Their descendants still live there today. A documentary has been done about about the way they carry on their Southern traditions. Below is a poster advertising that documentary. Notice in the picture how the Stars and Bars have transcended race. If northern politicians and special interest groups will get a clue, perhaps they can do that here, too.
Posted by Andrew on November 6, 2003 3:21 PM.
Comments
Posted by: The Chairman at November 7, 2003 4:13 PM
Well, just a couple of comments on your comment.
When the South was defeated, they became a part of the US. This was not the case with Germany. The Confederate Soldiers were once again Americans. Americans whose husbands, fathers, and brothers had fought in the Confederate army.
The Confederate flag is an undeniable part of American culture. The swastica is not.
Of course the war was about slavery. And we won. Slavery is abolished, thank God! The war is over. The flag represents Southern culture, which has faced its racism and repudiated it.
As to your last question, I fly the Brazilian flag. I love Brazil. I am also a red-blooded, apple-pie-eating, baseball-watching American. As are most of the people I know (probably a few more than you know, given my geographic location!) who fly the Confederate flag. Sure there are a few racists among them, but there are racists in Brazil as well...and in New York.
Posted by: Andrew at November 7, 2003 4:31 PM
I don't necessarily believe that remnants of the old Confederate battle flag should fly over state buildings, but I appreciate your comments.
Like many Americans, I have family members who served and died on both sides of the War Between the States - a great-great grandfather who ran an abolitionist newspaper, and one who migrated to Brazil with the Confederados.
I'm not proud of it, but I also had ancestors who burned Indian villages to make room for white settlements in 17th Century New England. These people believed with all their hearts that their causes were just.
History is history. It can't (and shouldn't be) erased.
Posted by: Pat Sabin at February 21, 2004 7:22 PM
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you know that I love you Andrew, but...
The confederate Battle Flag is just that, a "Battle" flag. It is not a symbol of racism, though some try to make it that. It is a symbol of rebellion against the country and the compact signed by the founders. Why celebrate a flag that was raised by people who raised arms against their country causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of their own countrymen, for the purpose of keeping slaves (I have heard all the arguments about it not being about slavery, but in the end, it comes down to slavery). I know many people who fly the flag and I have nothing against them. Just a question though, would German-Americans be okay to fly the swastika to show their German pride. How do you feel when African-Americans fly the African unity flag to show their pride? How about the rainbow flag to show Gay pride? I wonder.....