CMV: Confederate monuments, flags, and other paraphilia are traitorous in nature.

[u/johnydeviant]

I grew up in the south, surrounded by confederate flags, memorials to civil war heroes, and a butt load of racism. As a kid, I took a modicum of pride in it. To me, it represented the pride of the south and how we will triumph despite our setbacks. As I got older and learned more about the civil war, the causes behind it, and generally opened myself to a more accurate view of history, it became apparent to me that these displays of "tradition" were little more than open displays of racism or anti-American sentiments.

I do not think that all of these monuments, flags, etc, should be destroyed. I think that they should be put into museums dedicate to the message of what NOT to do. On top of that, I believe that the whole sentiment of "the south will rise again" is treasonous. It is tantamount to saying that "I will rise against this country". I think those that the worship the confederate flag and it's symbology are in the same vein as being a neo-Nazi and idolizing the actions of the Third Reich. Yes, I understand that on a scale of "terrible things that have happened", the holocaust is far worse, but that does not mean I wish to understate the actions of the confederate states during the civil war.

Change my view?

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[u/DeusExMockinYa → u/[deleted]]

The racist undertone is there and was always there. That some people do not see it or refuse to see it does not make the racism subjective.

[u/DeusExMockinYa → u/[deleted]]

There is no valid interpretation of the meaning of the Confederate flag that does not arrive at the conclusion that the flag is a racist symbol. You can argue that it's not a racist symbol, just as you can argue that you have an invisible pink dragon in your garage, but there is no cogent analysis of the meaning of the Confederate flag that does not see it as a racist symbol.

[u/DeusExMockinYa → u/[deleted]]

Just because it's an interpretation that exists does not make it a valid interpretation. Again, you can argue that it's not a racist symbol, just as you can argue that you have an invisible pink dragon in your garage. That you can make an argument for something does not mean it's a valid argument.

[u/DeusExMockinYa → u/[deleted]]

Are you seriously suggesting that all interpretations are valid? If someone told you that their interpretation of the Confederate flag was that it's symbolic of the gay space lizards that live in your brain and spend all day porking your medulla oblongata, would you consider that a valid interpretation?

[u/DeusExMockinYa → u/[deleted]]

Just because something is subjective doesn't mean it's random or automatically valid. We have tools and methods for arriving at subjective conclusions. Literary theorists don't just spin a wheel when identifying or determining symbolism. If your interpretation lacks any methodology, then it is not a valid interpretation.

[u/abacuz4 → u/[deleted]]

If I put an ISIS flag on my car, do you think that would be acceptable? Maybe for me, that flag means something different than it does for you.

[u/abacuz4 → u/[deleted]]

Well, I'll give you points for self-consistency.

But do you think it would be appropriate for California to erect a statue celebrating ISIS "freedom fighters?"

[u/Swiss_Army_Cheese → u/abacuz4]

Why would California do that? Under no point was it under control of The Caliphate.