Learning About the Confederacy

The Confederacy is a very touchy and interesting subject. For some people, the ones who still hold fondly onto things of the past, it can be a subject full of denial and defense. For others, who's ancestors may have been affected by the Confederacy, it can be a subject full of harsh and unnecessary responses. Most people view the Confederacy in a negative light, which is likely the proper response. In reading about the Confederacy's reasons for secession from the United States, you get the same type of answer, phrased differently, across the board. At the end of the day, the Confederacy was fighting for racial superiority. Many Confederate leaders and supporters have voiced their displeasure with their colleagues dancing around this subject. A fair portion of Confederates were not only unapologetic about their beliefs, but proud.

The Confederate flag is also quite fascinating, since there are so many varying opinions on it's modern definition. The "Confederate battle flag" is somewhat of a misnomer. There were many Confederate units who fought under various flags, not just the Stars and Bars. Nowadays, the commonly seen "Confederate flags" are actually not that, but rather a variation of it. The flag has been used in many ways, from the Ku Klux Klan to Dukes of Hazzard to everyday people. Personally, I believe it is possible, even necessary, to separate the battle flag of the Confederacy from the stated goals of the Confederacy itself. If we cannot disassociate the flag from the goals of the Confederacy, it becomes all too easy to make unfounded presumptions about people that we do not know. We must get to know people before we make harsh assumptions regarding their character.

Nowadays, the battle flag of the Confederacy is widely associated with country life or "good ol' boys." That's what I personally associate it with. I don't really care if somebody decides to fly that flag, as long as they know why they're flying it. Throughout the duration of my studies regarding the Confederacy, I have gained a more informed knowledge on the beliefs of the Confederacy and the origin of their battle flag, which has helped solidify my opinions regarding the Confederacy as a whole.