In this day and age there are many people who say the Confederate Flag is a symbol of racism. I disagree!
Many good people, men and women, died for that flag. The fact is that slavery was not a major issue of the war Between the States. In fact, it didn't really become an issue until Lincoln delivered his speech at Gettysburg.
The major issue of the war was State's Rights. According to the Southern States, the U S Constitution and the writings of the "founding fathers" said that the States had the right and responsibility to leave the union whenever they felt it was necessary. At the time of the outbreak of the war, the southern States were strapped economically and the Northern States were creating havoc on the South's ability to trade with England.
It is my understanding from reading histories of the period that over half of the Southern States had outlawed or were about to outlaw slavery at the time of the war. The majority of Confederate soldiers did not own slaves. In fact, many Confederate soldiers didn't even own good boots or clothes. Yet, they fought and died for their flag.
It is true that once the war was over, the KKK used the Confederate Flag has their symbol, but does that alone qualify the flag has a racist symbol. If so, what about the cross, also used by the KKK.
If the Confederate Flag is , in fact, a racist symbol aimed at today's Black Americans because of its history, then what about the stars and Strips being a racist symbol aimed at Native American Indians because of its historic use by Federal and State troops in the attempted destruction on Native peoples and culture.
Racist people have used both flags in their symbolisms. Does that make the flags racist by nature? I think not. I am a Southern, Native American Indian and I am proud of that! Both flags are dear to me and my beliefs and were so to my forefathers.
I am a rebel, not a racist.
