Intolerance in the name of Tolerance

Symbolism of the Confederate Flag

The Confederate battle flag is being removed from state capitol's across the nation. The Confederate battle flag has been a fixture throughout the south since General Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia raised it to unite the troops and spark the rise of the southern rebellion. The Confederate battle flag was never the Confederate Flag.

The fact this flag is still around is a testament to our nation and its people. Throughout history when a nation was defeated their armies were annihilated, imprisoned or disbanded. Their flags and any other symbols of their culture and history were banned or destroyed. Since history is written by the victors, the life's and culture of the defeated were modified in the history books to demonize or belittle the enemy. The changes may have been intentional or just the view of the victorious army. The victors of the American Civil War were more tolerant towards their enemy. This was easier since their enemy were brothers, cousins or neighbors. The nation was fortunate that people in the North and South were more interested in rebuilding the nation as opposed to eliminating the defeated. The south was left burning but their culture, traditions and even their battle flag were left intact. 

The south fell upon difficult times after the war. Their barns and mills to prepare and store food were destroyed, 40% of the livestock was killed. Several cities were burned to the ground. It would be decades before the south would recover from the destruction of their loss. During these difficult times the battle flag was raised again and again to help rally the people to better days. Too often this symbol of southern pride and tradition was also raised to spread hate and fear. 

It is time to remove the battle flag from state grounds but to ban it's existence would also be wrong. Intolerance in the name of tolerance shackles our minds to the chains of ignorance. It would be refreshing if we as a nation can devote the same effort and passion on eliminating racism as we do on debating the value and historical accuracy of racist symbols.
 


Another blog entry on racism that people may find intersting. 
 Check Other to End Racism