OPPOSING THE CONFEDERATE FLAG | BY: SHELBY AVERY
May 11, 2020
One hundred and fifty years ago, the Confederate Army lost the battle to remove themselves from the Union, to become independent and to continue to defend slavery. The Confederate flag-which resembles the United States flag in many ways with red, white, blue and stars- continues to be the topic of debate as this flag has turned into a symbol representing violence, division and a difficult history. Today, many groups have differing opinions on the use of the Confederate flag, especially during the civil rights movement, Confederate monuments that celebrate war leaders, and how these symbols affect the African American experience in the United States.
The debate of the Confederate flag goes far beyond the Civil War and having pride in your country and continues to be a complex discussion. In a 2015 CNN/ORC poll, both black and white Americans were asked if the confederate flag represented a symbol of Southern pride or racism. Out of black participants, 72% responded that the flag was a symbol of racism, 17% responded that the flag represented Southern pride, and 7% responded both. Out of white participants, 25% replied that the flag was a symbol of racism, 66% replied the flag represented southern pride, and 3% responded both. The results of this poll sets the basis for my discussion on how these symbols of confederacy continue to be a struggle within different groups in the United States due to a long debated history.
The Civil Rights Movement was a time for protest, resistance and intense effort to end discrimination for African Americans in the United States. According to photographer Matt Herron, flying the Confederate flag represented the support of racial segregation during the Civil Rights Movement. One hundred years after the Civil War, the Confederate flag continued to cast negative connotations among black Americans. The use and meaning of the Confederate flag at this time in the South was so strong, citizens would be beaten and dragged out of their cars simply for displaying the American flag in place of the Confederate flag.
Flying the American flag represented opposition to the Confederate flag when words couldn't. Civil Rights activist and protestor Dorie Ladner carried the American flag in an iconic photo taken outside of the 16th Street Baptist Church memorial in Birmingham, Alabama in resistance to the four girls killed at the church. She stated, “The Confederate flag represented state resistance to the rights of African Americans and indicated that the state upheld the atrocities, including the destruction of a place of worship and the murder of the four little girls and others.” Ladner recounts seeing the use of the flag federally, and had a large presence in her home state of Alabama. In addition to the display of the Confederate flag by Alabama Governor Wallace to protest racial integration proposed by President Kennedy, Alabama National Guard was approved to wear the confederate symbol on their uniforms. Dorie Ladner courageously defended her race, beliefs and her community. Ladner continues, “....The American flag was the only symbol I could carry to express my sorrow and anger and to remind Alabama that it was part of the United States. The least I could do was to show that there is a federal government.” During trying times like this, the display of America’s own flag represented a reminder of unity and connection among the country and black citizens, something many groups had forgotten. Years later, the same conservative Americans who shunned the American flag, proudly waved the American flag and claimed themselves patriots while still standing firmly on their beliefs of segregation. This ironic testament in United States history truly displays the multi-dimensional belief systems behind iconic and historical symbols.
The FBI defines hate crimes as “a committed criminal offense which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias(es) against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity.” According to the FBI 59.2% of hate crimes in 2015 were targeted due to race or ethnicity. Of that percentage, an overwhelming 52.2% of crimes were motivated by anti-Black or African American biases. In the same year, a shooting in a Charleston, South Carolina church became a catalyst for increased racial tensions, protests and a call for reform especially regarding historical statues in the US. A white male walked into an African American church and killed 9 African Americans during bible study. Further investigation into the horrific event shows he was an open white supremacist as well as a Confederate supporter, according to his manifesto and prison journals which included white supremacy sentiment and Confederate symbols. This event raised the modern debate about the display of Confederate monuments which celebrate events and war generals who represent the same values.
This event shocked the whole country and most importantly the African American community. The terror of something so horrible happening in a place of peace and worship during a bible study brought groups of all races together in solidarity of the victims. With most tragedies, come reform and change. Many used this as a spark to fight for what was needed a long time ago, the removal of Confederate monuments all around the United States, especially in the South.
In the wake of the Charleston shooting, demonstrations of discontent popped up throughout the country. Days after the massacre, a 32-foot-tall Confederate memorial was vandalized with a spray painted “X” and the phrase “Black Lives Matter” in St. Louis Missouri not far from the Missouri Civil War Museum. This statue was gifted to the park in 1914 by the Daughters of the Confederacy of St. Louis, and depicts the “The Angel of the Spirit of the Confederacy,” a definitely controversial monument. Mayor Francis Slay took this act as a cue to rethink the display of this monument. Although historical, this monument and others alike have become triggering for African Americans and continues to remind these groups what this country was built upon. Two years later, after long debate and backlash the Confederate memorial was dismantled and no longer a public reminder of the past.
The long and difficult discussion behind the representation of the Confederate flag continues to be a battle of history. In America, the interpretation of the deep history of the Confederacy, the South, and African Americans often differ among these groups and offer a much needed discourse to understand each angle. From the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement to modern day acts of violent racism, African American’s have been the target of oppression while fighting fearlessly to ensure their rights among many generations. For over one hundred and fifty years of the Confederate flag as a symbol, the image is still taught and shown in museums, textbooks and classrooms. Many state that this is where the image belongs, and has no place in a political environment anymore. The Confederacy and the Confederate flag is an image that represents white supremacy, oppression and racism. American’s have a lot to learn from the rich history of the country's past, but unfortunately many predominately white groups still claim this image as a positive display of their southern heritage.