randomWalks

Such "defenses by symmetry" are nonsense for several reasons, not least of which is that the displays of pride by non-white groups do not insist upon symbols and images which were used to enslave white folks.



The refusal of such neconfederates to embrace John Brown, Southern abolitionists, and the like as a healthy part of their "heritage" gives the lie to the claim that confederate flag worship is about Southern heritage at all.



It really, really isn't.

it would be like american asians using symbols of japanese concentration camps as a pride symbol.



I guess the irony waters get muddied when queer pride uses the pink triangle ;-)

not really, g. the pink triangle as a symbol of gay pride is ironic because its current use (as a symbol of pride) contradicts its earlier use (as a symbol of difference and persecution). this would not be so in the case of "american asians using symbols of japanese concentration camps as a pride symbol." however, american-asians using symbols of japanese-american internment camps would be ironic.

it ain't ignorance. they know what it means. it's one of two things: denial, or dishonesty.

'hispanic' cultural empowerment being a good thing without debate being necessary. try thinking of all those little brown people as 'Spaniards', which is of course the root of 'hispanic'. it doesn't work.

because really they're 'Indians', itself a wonderment liguistically. they're not 'Spanish'. they speak the Spanish language becaue they're the children of Spanish conquest, rape, and violent subjugation. and the bloodlines, Spanish and 'Indian', are mixed through that cultural rape. just as much of the 'African-American' bloodline was mixed with the oppressor's genes.

the idea that Trent Lott is an asshole because he's a racist is liberal horseshit. he's a racist because he's an asshole. if he just stops being a racist he's still gonna be an asshole; if he stops being an asshole, then he'll stop being a racist.

"This is our heritage. Nobody should be upset with these shirts," said Ree Simpson, a senior soccer player at Cherokee who says she owns eight Confederate-themed shirts. "During Hispanic Heritage Month, we had to go through having a kid on the intercom every day talking about their history. Do you think they allow that during Confederate History Month?"

They seem to be missing the point that most of today's history, as taught in schools, is from primarily an American POV (and usually White). Anyone who's taken an American History course has at least a modicum of knowledge about Southern (American) heritage. My point is, so WHAT if Hispanics, Blacks, & Women want a frigging lousy MONTH for you to reflect and be aware of a different POV on history. The other aspect being, no matter how you slice it, some of the symbols of the American South (Old Dixie specifically) while being a symbol of Southern heritage is also a symbol of Minority oppression. Double-edged sword. The Swastika has been marred to be symbol of hate, because think about it, what's your first reaction to seeing a Confederate flag or Swastika? Typically for (most) American's (obviously not Southeners) it's associated with predjudice and ignorance. I'll tell you Southern folk, if you are truly concerned about your Confederate Heritage, work against those that are using your symbols for hate and ignorance, instead of whining about some cultural history month.