Black Neighbors Protest White Woman’s Confederate Flag
- Posted on October 17, 2010 at 9:57pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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From ABC News 4 in Charleston, SC:
Summerville residents marched Saturday in protest of a confederate flag. Nearly 80 Brownsville neighbors, a historically black community in Summerville, sang and chanted in front of Annie Caddell’s home, a white woman who refuses to remove her confederate flag.
Caddell met the protestors with her own group of supporters. Some 15 people stood in her yard along with a number of confederate battle flags.
Protestors say the the Civil War emblem is a symbol of racism and slavery. Caddell calls the flag a symbol of her heritage.
Legally, Caddell has a right to fly a confederate flag in her yard. But, neighbors say it is disrespectful to community she lives in. Protestors say they want to meet with Caddell to negotiate a compromise.
The original story from the Associated Press says that Caddell also flies an American flag and that she claims not to be a racist:
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (AP) — Annie Chambers Caddell, whose ancestors fought in the Civil War, insists the Confederate flag flying over her home is an important reminder of her heritage. But for her neighbors in this tree-shrouded, historically black neighborhood, it’s an unpleasant reminder of a by-gone era they’d rather not see every time they pass by her house.
Caddell, who is white, moved into the Brownsville neighborhood in June and began flying the flag about a month later. Since then, more than 200 residents signed a protest petition, and now neighbors plan to march Saturday along the street in front of Caddell’s house.
“My first reaction was they are going to do what they think they need to do,” said Caddell, 50. “My second reaction was I’m not going to be here.”
Caddell plans to be on nearby James Island on Saturday for the wedding of a friend who is black. She tearfully told the town council earlier this week that she is not racist.
She also flies the American flag from her modest brick house, and her yard has various ornaments including a gnome, Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, and a sign on her fence reading, “Confederate Boulevard.”
“That flag means a lot more to me than anything I can describe to you,” Caddell said. “It‘s my heritage and it’s my right. I’m not trying to slam anybody, and I wish I wouldn’t be slammed either.”
James Patterson, a 43-year-old crane operator who lives in a mobile home next door, said displaying the flag is insensitive.
“I know she has a legal right to do that on her property. But just because it’s legally right, doesn’t make it morally right,” said Patterson, who is black. “You can put up what you want, but if this was a Jewish community and someone moved in and started flying swastika flags, there would be a lot of hell raised about that as well.”
Violet Saylor, a 74-year-old retired social worker who lives about three blocks away, said the flag brings back to her memories of Jim Crow in the neighborhood she has lived all her life.
“She shouldn’t fly that flag because it represents slavery and the Ku Klux Klan that used to ride through the town and we used to have to turn our lights off and hide behind the shades,” said Saylor.
The Town of Summerville has said that while Caddell has the right to fly the flag, neighbors also have the right to march.
It‘s not South Carolina’s first controversy over the flag of the Confederacy, which began fighting its independence in 1861 at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, about 20 miles away.
After years of debate, South Carolina lawmakers voted in 2000 to move the Confederate flag from the Statehouse dome to a monument in front of the building. The flag had been on the dome since the Civil War centennial in the 1960s.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has imposed a tourism boycott for the past decade as it seeks to have the flag removed from the grounds altogether.
Dexter Mack, 31, the head of the Brownsville neighborhood civic association, lives a street away from Caddell on a block where his family has lived for more than a century. He said he’s not sure how many people may turn out Saturday.
“She has the right to fly the flag but when it offends people, we want her understand and try to come to some kind of agreement where she can take the flag down,” said Mack, who is black.
But Caddell said that’s not something she wants to do.
“Yes, I could take it down, but what message does that send?” she asked. “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll never be anything.”
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Comments (255)
SND97
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:40pmI would like to protest the protest and protest that one as well..ghezzz
Report Post »pro1822
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:39pmIf that is the criteria for the confederate flag then the US Flag is 10 times more offensive.
Report Post »T-rav
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:33pmI wonder if these people that are offended by it would still be offended if they found out that their ancestors fought for the south? Then again that would require people to learn REAL history and then they would understand that it was more than just slavery.
Report Post »Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:32pmWell of course,violating the Constitution and starting a war because your side last an election is part of her heritage.What a good thing to teach kids.
Report Post »ozz
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:11amStudy history before you comment on it, or those who have will see your lack of work and understanding of both the North South relationship, our founders and our constitution.
Report Post »Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:24pmWell seeing how I’m going to school to be a historical archivist,after two Iraq tours I‘m pretty sure I’ve taken a few courses in history.So can you point out where under the Constitution it’s legal for the states to form their military alliance,print and coin money and form their own central government?
And wasn‘t it Washing who said if there was a civil war he’d side with the north?
Report Post »AltimaZeromus
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:30pmThere really is no reason to have the confederate flag displayed.. For one they lost, they were clearly on the wrong side.. and it greatly offends. If the Mosque is built leave the flag if not then take it down.
Report Post »Tyson
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 8:30amWhat????
Report Post »Clearly you have no comprehension of the War between the States and Lincoln. Slavery in the South may have been in play but clearly Lincoln used the issue for his own political purposes. The mistake the osuth had was holding on to that culture after seccession, they lost the moral high ground and gave Lincoln all the reason in the world to consolidate Federal power. Had the South voluntarily ended Slavery then secceeded Lincoln would have been swollowed up in History because Europe would have been at the doors of Richmond waiting waiting to give the South financial assistance, Tobacco and Cotton were king and the North could grow neither! The ending of slavery through war was unnecessary, if anyone is interested on the economic powers in the North and their influence over Lincoln read “The Real Lincoln” (google it). The issue was never addressed by the Founders even though Jefferson and Madison, as well as Washington and Knox suggested ending slavery during the Constitutional Convention, had the four men joined forces our problems would not be as grave as they are today. Remember your history, Georgia and South Carolina delegates were told to leave the convention if ANY mention of ending slavery was mentioned. Had we stuck to the founding prinicpals blacks would had been freed as would we all today.
needanotherReagan
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:27pmIf there are going to be cameras at the protest expect race baiter Al to be all over this one.
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:25pmWingedwolf– well posted. well stated.
Report Post »Will NV
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:25pmObama’s Circle emblem is racist.
Report Post »GRuss
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:25pmMt guess is that this woman’s non violent act, will be met with violence from the left..
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:25pmI guess americans are only expected to extend tollerance to muslims who want to build victory mosques in buildings that were hit by plane wreckage on 9/11.
Anyone else can just be strong armed into submission. How long do you think it will take the ACLU or NAALCP to squawk?
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:20pmmuslims have the right to build a mosque at ground zero and this woman has the exact same right to fly that flag. A person might consider it tasteless, but we have a right to be tasteless. Nowhere in the Constitution is there written of any right to not be offended. If looking at something offends you, don’t look at it. I’ll go on record as saying I believe flying a confederate battle flag is tasteless and offensive. Even if I had confederate veterans in my family tree, I‘m pretty sure I wouldn’t think of it as a feather in my cap. And even if true about her heritage, in the name of co-existing peacefully with my neighbors, I wouldn’t display such a thing, or a nazi flag, or KKK symbol. I think that people who do those things are being deliberately inflammatory, however, it is her right and she better be ready to take the fallout. We either own our property or we do not. If we do, we have the right to decide what adorns it as long as it is not considered obscene or doesn’t have a foul stench. The foul stench of the confederate battle flag is only in our minds. She has a right to fly it and the neighbors have a right to vigorously protest.
Report Post »Tahriria4Life
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:47amSee, the thing is that many see the Confederate Flag as a representation of a fight for state rights. The people fought for what they believed was their rights–slavery was one facet of the issue, but there was far more to it [a good overview is found here : http://www.civilwar.com/overview.html Pay attention to the economic and political reasons ]. Saying the Confederate flag represents only the KKK is equivalent to making Old Glory represent only the bad parts of the US [what we did to the Native Americans, our Civil Rights Movements, and Slavery [since it was throughout the US not JUST in the South]].
There is nothing wrong with flying the Confederate Flag. We need to quit being ashamed from our history and learn from it, not run from it.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 12:03pmI personally don’t care what anyone does on their own property. I think if they succeed in getting a mosque built at Ground Zero, we should knock it down the same way the WTC was knocked down, except with an unmanned plane. I don’t give a squat what anyone thinks of my opinion of that. Out here where I live, being a neighbor means something. There aren’t any police, the nearest fire department is 11 miles away. There are acres of property between me and my nearest neighbors. And I love it. We are all armed and life here is extremely peaceful. Sometimes it is so quiet that one of us won’t start the tractor to get the mowing done because we feel guilty breaking that lovely quiet for anyone else who may be sitting on a porch enjoying it. No one would complain if we did. The lesson is that having a good neighbor means BEING a good neighbor. If my neighbors were Black, I wouldn’t display that flag. If Jewish, I wouldn’t display a German or Nazi flag. And not because I am afraid. I just don’t want to offend good people by forcing them to see things that remind them of times that were not good. Whatever you think of the Civil War, that flag is also, rightly or wrongly, associated with the KKK. While no one living now would have memories of being a slave, there are most certainly many living people with horrific memories of Klan violence and intimidation and who bear the scars of it. This woman‘s neighbors rightly wonder what she’s trying to tell them. And I hope she doesn’t need their help for anything. She might find herself very much alone. That is within her neighbor’s rights as well.
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:19pmI totally get her right to fly it. At the same time, I don’t understand ..why? For people to cling to the fact that they lost and were wrong in wanting to secede from the union and wrong for perpetuating slavery. I don‘t understand why modern American’s still cling to the fact that their ancestors were wrong in history, in politics and in the moral imperative. I still think on her own property, she has the right to fly her flag of loserness and wrongness..I just don’t know why she wants to. Fly it..fine. But look inside yourself and ask..Why?
Report Post »bobmontgomery
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:53amWhy do those descendants of Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, etc. keep wanting to dress in buckskin, carry tomahawks, put on war paint and dance? They lost. They should just get over it. Doesn’t the sight of a war bonnet offend all decent people?
Report Post »OneFunR6
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:07amensemble, you‘re a ’pinhead’, so I’ll spell it out,
JUST BECAUSE THEY LOST, DOESN’T MEAN THEY WERE WRONG!
You need to READ,… the NYT best Seller, ‘The Black Swan’.
Furthermore, IF the War Between the States was just/mostly
about the issue of slavery, WHY were THE VAST MAJORITY of
Confederate soldiers NOT slave owners?
1. Show me where in the US Constitution it says that South Carolina
could NOT secede from the UNION?
2. Lincoln CLOSED the US Supreme Court AND CHAINED IT SHUT to
prevent them from hearing and ruling on SC’s case for secession.
What will YOUR neighbors do, when ‘they’ guvamint comes for YOUR
PRIVATE PROPERTY?
1. Because ‘they’ want to GIVE it to someone else, or because…
Report Post »2. ‘they’ just don’t think YOU should have it IN YOUR POSSITION.
Ga. Tea Party
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:16pmI am offended by ignorance. Thats about it. The Confederate flag never signified slavery or racism. That is just modern day reworked history. I know it became a defacto sign of just such, but that will never change the facts. So go ahead and not find out for yourself. Mythology will ruin you. I will not fly it either but one day when the truth of history is found we will find the demons were appearing as angels all the time. The south fought for the same thing we are fighting for today, and it does not include a slave at all. President Lincoln practically destroyed our Constitution. Light how wonderful.Let it shine. Thanks
Report Post »Texas Libertarian
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:41pmI used to think the same way as you, the stars and bars represented states rights to me, not slavery. My views changed after reading the Constitution of the Confederate States. Read it, it might change your mind as well.
Report Post »CALIDUDE
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:10amSorry Dude the CSA Constitution was about Slavery, not states rights.
Report Post »Reply only after reading it here: http://www.usconstitution.net/csa.html
ozz
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:03amRead it. Read allot of history as well. My degree is in it. The civil war was about states rights. The rights of personal property being one of them. One of the chief reasons they lost was a weak central government and an even weaker president, because the STATES and people’s power were preserved. Reading the first 3 lines and making your judgment based on that is not to wise. Read the whole thing then go check some supporting history.
Report Post »SCBubba
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 3:48amPresident Lincoln practically destroyed our Constitution.
Report Post »Practically destroyed Constitution? Try did destroy it. He killed the 10th Amendment, he suspened Habeus Corpus, he arrested and destroy newspapers, had the Pro-Southern Maryland State legislature members arrested and thrown in the old capital prison, no trial, held for duration of war. He killed the States Sovereignty. Started the government business welfare, stripped State Governors rights to run States……..and lots more, that’s why old Abe is the hero of the Liar In Chief!
Big Bob
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:18amThis from the CSA “1. The importation of negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States or Territories of the United States of America, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same.
Report Post »2. Congress shall also have power to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of, or Territory not belonging to, this Confederacy.” Looks to me like they were trying to phase out slavery. They wer forbiding the importation of slaves from what I see.
Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:40amI proudly fly the flag and it has everything to do with heritage and states rights. If pretend to be offended that is your problem not mine.
Report Post »Joseph_Plumb_Martin
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:12pmThe states have the right to leave the Union when their candidates lose elections? They have the right to seize and attack Federal military and naval installations? I somehow missed those rights,can someone tell me where they are in the Constitution?
Report Post »momsense
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:42pmYou are absolutely correct. The liberal spin doctors have made it something it isn’t
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:15pmWhat a God send for the left ,bet msnbc is lovin it.An ignorant red neck stirring up the hood ,this will probably be all over the national media soon and for as long as they can sustain it, for they hope it will wake some of the base to vote for fear some backward ass rednecks will break out the bed sheets . Pitting one group of morons against another group of idiots .Maybe in the process getting some white libs. (full of white guilt) to the polls as well. I’ll wager this gets more play in the “mainstream media”than the voter intimidation black panther scandal ,which is to say any air time at all.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:25pmWait till they find out she supports the Tea Party or something along those lines.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:44pmIf she does or doesn‘t won’t matter ,the left wing media never let the truth get in the way of a story they want to spin.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:08pmThey’ll get tired of marching. No free lunches.
Report Post »Soulman45
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:07pmIt her right so get over it a dead deal it have no life.
Report Post »Exrepublisheep
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:34pmWhat??
Report Post »Bombgod1
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:01pmIf anything happens to that flag, please drop me a line and I will send you mine. Fly it with pride.
Report Post »Colonial Revolutionary
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:35amOr she could use mine.
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:58pmThis is a tough get. I think she doesn’t understand how the symbol of the confederate flag is distasteful to other people. She doesn’t seem like a fringe person. At the same time, nowhere in the Constitution does it say that you have the right ..not to be offended. I am offended by many things in this culture, yet I tolerate them. She will get bullied and be the victim of harrassment, that is now a given. Personally, I would never fly that flag, yet, I know that she has the right to do it for her own reasons. I hope that people in her neighborhood will have an honest dialog with her. But now that it is made public and poltiical..she will get trounced.
Report Post »CYCLONE
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:57pmoh boy… nobody is going to touch this…
,,, burn her house down and then there are no problems…unless she buys an Obama (defensive-shield-flag …)..but it must pass through Valerie Jarretts Mao-Loving blood stained hands of course… (*guess the sarcasm stops here *)
clhathaway
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:55pmI am so tiered of people being “offended”. I really would like them all to jump in a lake. I have no desire to fly that flag or see it flown but I can tolerate it. I can tolerate those damned Darwin fish some people display on their cars. People need to grow up or get the hell out of here.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:08pmWe do recognize how the stress level is reaching the boiling point. We all have a responsibility to to put up with one another, for the sake of peace. Isn’t that what we really want. If you have a Bible, you can read Romans 12:12-19
Report Post »Time Rebel
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:49pmThat’s a good point about those Darwin fish. Not to mention all of the Obama stickers that make me want to gag!
Report Post »White Devil
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:34pmDo you “tolerate” the Dukes of Hazzard? I say we should ban all the General Lee Dodge Charger clones out there and egg their cars when they drive by because the owners are clearly racists. It felt soooo good to vote the other day. It has begun.
Report Post »markmedown
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 9:59amI have to agree, our God-given rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where are we guaranteed “tolerance” or the right not to be offended by others’ actions? Even if this woman WAS a racist, and I do not believe for a second that she is, she still has a right to her opinion and to express it peacefully. Is she infringing the rights of her neighbors to fly a flag? NO!
Report Post »Major Infidel
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:53pmface/palm
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:52pmHere we go again…race, race, race. Just give it a rest and love your neighbor. Shame on all of you!
Report Post »DMD
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:53pmWhat to protest next
Report Post »White rice?
White flower?
Saltine crackers?
it never ends….
pkliiger
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 7:52amthats whats wrong with the left if it fits their aganda then if it’s wrong , then to them it’s right, people need to wake up and not only respect the views of others but respect each other , she has the right to fly that flag and I for one do the same, no one says a word in me doing so, I am of American Indian back ground and I show that as well, so am I wrong in doing that? I Think not, and I will stand my ground on that as well, if we shame you in our thoughts and voicing our views, then why do you go to the news that offends you? I sure won’t read things that offened me.and by the way I am a southerner, and damn proud of it, I will stand behind the values I have been tought all my life, and another thing if this is what you listen to rather than finding out the facts, thats your right, but study history before you sham the rest of us, and there are many one this very board that have posted URL;s for you to find the facts, take the time to read and know the TRUTHS.
Report Post »BullDog
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:50pmThis is distasteful but free speech does exist for a reason. She does have the right to do it. This reminds me of the whole mosque controversy. Same thing, they have the right to do it no one argues that as long as they own the property and go through the proper channels for building it then they have the right. But it flies in the face of the tolerance they preach. Never upset your neighbors you may need them one day!
Report Post »Blacktooth
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:55pmJust because you have a right to do something does not mean you should do it. How about some restraint?
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:23pmIs it her fault they are offended? That’s like saying “I don‘t like your shirt and you shouldn’t wear that shirt because it makes me angry.”
If you believe in individual salvation and individual freedom, then you must take all the salt that comes with it, including responsibility for your actions and feelings. Sorry, can’t have everything.
Report Post »userfriendly
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:35amAnd the protesters have the right to protest- as long as they are non-violent. But it doesn’t mean they should. Speaking of restraint? I will be interested to see how much restraint is shown when/if this woman does not cave in to the protesters, and refuses to take down the flag. Something tells me the protest will then go beyond singing and chanting.
Report Post »WhiteFang
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:33pmI like your comment Bulldog, “Never upset your neighbors you may need them one day!” That is very true, especially during some kind of disaster. During those times you will appreciate your neighbors who are your friends. If you only have enemies around you then, what comfort will you receive?
Report Post »The white woman and the black neighbors need to restrain themselves in this battle of disrespect..
ShariO
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:50pmTroublemaker?
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:06amBoth sides seem to be trouble makers to me, but I believe they’ve been into it by our ruling class. They’ve been spurred on by politicians and media that seek to pit one group against another. Politicians use this kind of acrimony against all of us to gain power over us. These folks all need to settle down, be more considerate of one another, and realize that we have larger, more threatening enemies who have infiltrated our government. A neighborhood squabble is just adding fuel to their fire. Quit letting them manipulate us and stand against the polarization that they foment.
Report Post »CaptainSpaulding
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 10:49pmBuilding a mosque at Ground Zero = free speech and needs to be protected.
Displaying a flag = intolerant and needs to be banned.
Any questions?
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:18pm“You can put up what you want, but if this was a Jewish community and someone moved in and started flying swastika flags, there would be a lot of hell raised about that as well.”
Horrible analogy, the swastika was originally an Indian (as in India) symbol that signifies happiness and is actually translated to “It is well.” Su(Well) Asti (Is) Ka(ending) Suastika = Swastika.
So this actually clarifies the issue a little better. Because Nazi Germany borrowed the symbol to use for their social model and attempted world takeover and anti-semitism, the symbol has been perverted from it’s actual meaning……at least in Western eyes. If you were a Nazi, I would think the symbol’s original meaning stuck well.
So, does the Confederate flag mean “slavery” or “southerner.” Most southerners hang onto their Confederate flag for this reason:
“Yes, I could take it down, but what message does that send?” she asked. “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll never be anything.”
Standing up for what you believe in, which is why the South seceded. Now, it was for slavery, so I understand how it goes both ways. Frankly, I don‘t plan to ever fly it and I’m from the South.
But here’s a proposition: If white people give up the Confederate flag, can they say the n-word? I think it’s only fair. And frankly, niggard and niggardley are in the English translations of the Koran and speak to someone who doesn’t pay their fair share, not an actual color. Please notice the different spelling. I know plenty of “other colored” people who don’t pay their fair share.
Report Post »ex_liberal
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:46pmAmen, my friend. Couldn’t have said it better myself!
Report Post »Neuhouser
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:47pmI was thinking the exact same thing the entire time i was reading the aritcle, This is almost the exact same kind of situatiuon as the ground zero mosque the only difference is that here it is largely a minority group that is offended and with the mosque it’s a minority doing the offending (wether it be intentional or unintentional)
Small sidenote, the mosque at ground zero is being called the Cordoba Mosque. I think everyone should famaliarise themselves with what happened at Cordoba Spain http://answering-islam.org/authors/thomas/ground_zero_mosque.html
Report Post »jacquecustard
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:47pmCheckmate.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 17, 2010 at 11:53pmThe law says she can fly the flag then she can fly the flag.
It is curios that one person flying a flag (legally) causes such an uproar, yet people can also slash and burn the American flag – Old Glory herself – and get away with the Freedom of Expression under the law without complaint from the Progressives.
If these people dont want her to fly the flag, seek to change the law, let the people vote on the ballot and then test the constitutionality of it within the courts.
Let the people speak their minds with their votes.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm. (mixed art)
RealityCheck
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:01amJust goes to show how much people know about the Civil War. Not much if all you see in the rebel flag is racism.
Report Post »NoName22
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:09am“I know she has a legal right to do that on her property. But just because it’s legally right, doesn’t make it morally right,” said Patterson, who is black. “You can put up what you want, but if this was a Jewish community and someone moved in and started flying swastika flags, there would be a lot of hell raised about that as well.”
The swastika was originally a hindu symbol translated as “It is well.” Su(Well) Asti (Is) Ka(ending) Suastika = Swastika
“This symbol has been in use since the time of Indus Valley Civilisation (3000 B.C.-700 B.C). However it is not exclusive to India, but is known all over the World Archaeological discoveries have shown its widespread use in Egypt, China, Greece and Mexico.
The inauspicious anti-clockwise Swastika was used by Hitler as Nazi emblem”
Just wanted to point out that the metaphor used is just as uneducated as the people who think the Confederate flag represents strictly racism. Look around this comment page, you’ll find out what the Confederate flag stood for.
Here’s a proposition: If white people give up the flag, can they say the n-word?
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:12am@Reality check
I consider the Confederate flag personally to be as offensive as the Nazi iron cross and the Soviet hammer and sickel; yet I also have to say that if the courts and legal system say they have the right to fly them, then folks do. Seek to change the laws by the same system.
Protect Old Glory at the same time – for she is truly AMERICAN SPIRIT EMBODIED!
Report Post »cvillefreedom
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:16amthats is EXACTLY what I was thinking while reading this.
Report Post »userfriendly
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:22amNope. I was thinking along those lines.
Report Post »Do people want equal treatment, or special treatment? Never having to deal with something you don’t like is special treatment. Putting on you big boy/girl pants, and dealing with life- good and bad- is equal treatment, because we all have to do it sometime or another.
This lady says it is part of her heritage, and she is proud of it. I don’t understand why, but there are a lot of things I don’t understand, that people have the right to do. Does the fact that she is white negate her right to fly that flag? It seems lately that if one is a white Christian, one must keep quiet and stay in the background. No pride in your heritage is allowed, because you’re white, and you might offend someone. No religious displays, because you are Christian, and some might find it offensive. All other peoples’ heritage and religions are to be “tolerated”.
It boggles my mind when I think about how a Klan member was voted into office, several times, but the same people who did that have a problem with the Confederate flag. (This always comes to mind when I hear about a controversy over the Confederate flag.)
Kisha Majors
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:46amCAPTAIN = I like you! =0)
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:08amThe flag is offensive for what it stood for, however you are 110% correct in your analogy, nicely put.
Report Post »snowleopard3200
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:10am@Userfriendly
I understand all too well about the part of being a christain – or for me a white, christian chaplain who also is pro-life, pro-gun, pro-limited government, pro-freedom for the people, pro-get the progressives the blazes out of the system!!!
I used to run a small country church and one time told people before the 2000 elections just to exercise their freedom of voting – as they are given in the constitution and as THEY see fit. I did not tell them how to vote just to exercise their right to do so.
Couple of days later had the Fed gray suits – or people claiming to be so – show up and explain how things would be very complicated with the IRS-KGB if I did not start towing the line.
So lets get the word to people to vote – vote -vote – this is our right for now; until the Pelosi – Obama Progressives take it away from us if nothing gets done.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mixed art)
Report Post »George Washington
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:25amGreat double standard. But what else can we expect when we have a Muslim President who most likely was not even born in The United States and, should not have been allowed to run for the Presidency. Remember. “My Muslim faith.” and, his grandmother who was present at his birth said that Obama was born in Kenya.
With that said, the white woman has the right to fly the Confederate flag. The black neighbors have the right to protest. This will only serve to widen the rift between the two races. The end result can not be good. We are all in a leaky boat. We either row together while we bail out the water or
Report Post »we will sink together. What it all boils down to is this. Having the right to do something does not mean that it is actually wise to do it.
rebel
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:26amExactly! and don’t think just because my name is rebel on here that i fly a confederate flag and swill cheep beer while i talk about the good ole days of E. Lee. I gots me sum culture yall!
Report Post »George Washington
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 1:29amAre you Captain Spaulding the African explorer? The one who some people call shnorer? If you are, please tell me if you are coming or must you be going.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:26amExactly my thoughts, although I do think It was in poor taste. It just gives into more racist comments that are not needed. It seems to be the pattern these days. Though she has the right, it is just wrong.
Report Post »ron the veteran
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 2:43amthey only want free speech when its them whos talking. a lot of americans died under that flag wheather its right or wrong dont matter it only matters that good men died for it. we must live with the ugly parts of our past too and never forget any of it. the truth will always make us better people than lies will.
Report Post »911
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 4:18amIf it was an anti muslim flag.. her head would probably be chopped off
Report Post »79USMC83
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:25amSlavery was adopted in the colonies before America was even founded!! I twas THE topic of discussion during the writing of the Constitution. By the time the Civil War was fought 90% of the slaves were born in the USA. Importation had been illegal for years!! You could argue that the Stars and Stripes is the flag of SLAVERY!! Only 10 % of the men fighting for the south owned slaves. My family had two great great uncles from Illinois that fought for the union, My family also had a great great uncle who fought in Lee’s army for the south that just so happens to be buried in Illinois LOL!!! The first LOITERING laws were put into efect in Georgia,because the free slaves looked at freedom as NOT having to work!! They were so used to being taken care of and told what to do!! Hum kind of like now for many!!
Report Post »Coonshine
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:46amI can’t wait to see this discussed on The Veiw. Might be a major blowout…..
Report Post »Coonshine
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:59amThe mosque, the flag, the blackpower salute, the birthers, the teaparty, I just can’t sit here any longer! I’m walking off stage……….
Report Post »Big Bob
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:07amThe civil war was not about slavery. Lincoln didn’t care about the slaves and he believed instead of freeing them they should have been sent back to Africa. You can google and find several of his speaches that say as much. The civil war was fought over states rights and the checks against a growing government. Our right to secede was infringed at this time and in doing so it was the start of tyrany against the states.
Report Post »momsense
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:20amNothing like a double standard depending on whether your a minorithy or not. Freedom of speech isn’t limited to anti American minorities and freeloaders–it should work for everyone. The rest of us have listerned to minorities b**ching about civil rights for almost 100 years—how about the same civil rights for the rest of us?
Report Post »cboy1954
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:32amCap’t, I’m just a cowboy from AZ. I keep turning the other cheek. I only got 4 cheeks, there gett’in sore.How much do we have to take?
Report Post »renobryce
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 8:00amI grew up loving that flag, and couldn‘t figure out why my mother didn’t, until got older and wiser. “Just the good ol’ boys, Never meanin’ no harm”, was the theme song of many reguardless of race. To conclude racist intentions based on a flag deserves a technical foul called. But the point made above about flying the Nazi flag with Jewish neighbors is valid. Overall you have to be conscious of your surroundings. I’ll reference that commercial with the Eagles fans in the heart of Texas watching the game in the diner. Classic…
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 8:55amShe is an embarrassment to southerners. She could have that flag framed and hung on a wall in her house and still make her statement without stirring up trouble and bad feelings. I live in a small town where the “hangin” tree is still in front of the courthouse and the KKK was active many years ago. It bothers me to see people publicly displaying the Confederate flag (and they fly them on their trucks, their houses and even have a Confederate store in the next county) but it doesn’t seem to bother the black community. They are not, however, living in the same neighborhood. She can call it what she wants and try to explain it away, but she is getting the reaction she was looking for. Shame on her.
Report Post »heebster
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:13amLOLZ
Nobody forced her or whined for weeks on end about how she should take down the flag. You all wont shut up about the mosque.
Get over your islamaphobia and return to your Confederate ways
Report Post »moelarrycurly
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 9:57amI wonder what Joy behar and Whoopie have to say about it? Lets see how fast these two Hypocrites change the tune…
Report Post »Mitzi
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:02amMy feelings exactly -
Report Post »whybother
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:14amhhhhaaaaahahhahahahahahahahaha! My very first thought upon reading this article! Dead on the mark, Captain!
Wheres Whoopi and Joy(less) Behar storming around with indignant TOLERANCE????
Report Post »Vegas511
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:08pmObviously this is just like the Mosque issue. One has the right to fly the Confederate Flag but is it appropriate.
Report Post »BJC49
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:24pmI thought the same thing. Now where have I heard that quote before…
they have the legal right but…is it the right thing to do?
Of course I see nothing wrong at all in flying the flag. Hip Hop music coming out of the cars passing by offends me more than a flag flying. I wonder if they’ll turn of their music? It does offend me!
Report Post »thug1776
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 12:42pmIt certainly shows the true face of the “tolerance” crowd, but by your reasoning, we‘d be forced into supporting a mosque at Ground Zero by standing behind this woman’s right to fly her flag.
Report Post »tcgrebelgirl
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 5:14pmThat seems to be the way things are going these days, which is ridiculous. It seems the only people in this country who are not allowed to have an opinion, to embrace what their ancestors stood for & actually be proud of it, are white southerners. The “rebel flag” is actually one of several battle flags & does not represent racism, except in the minds of ignorant people who seek to try to find some way of controlling the actions of others. The War Between the States was not fought to merely keep slaves, it was about states’ rights. And considering the shape this country is in due to the lack of those rights & the prevalance of the federal government in every aspect of our lives, it seems it was a just cause. Leave the woman alone & rally round the flag!
Report Post »AngryTexanFromAmarillo
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:26pmfound this http://hubpages.com/hub/Are-Texas-Republicans-Ruining-Public-Education on my local Craigslist, I’ve already written a reply to this guy but he removed it because it spoke the truth. please Blaze readers help set the record straight!
Report Post »Fireguarding
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 7:37pmI haven’t read through all the comments, but I think the sections (multiple) need to be highlighted where the “victims” repeatedly state “it’s her right to fly the flag, it’s our right to march.’ -true enough. the next sentences amount to: “We just want to discuss this, come to a compromise where she can take the flag down.” So, what you’re saying is: if it’s objectionable to you, it’s a compromise if you get your way. Because, just from this simple article, it’s clear a compromise, to her, wouldn’t be to take the flag down. They’re getting this notion of compromise from Congress, where the Rs are expected to capitulate to the Ds, and call it compromise. Just to be clear, I would never fly the confederate flag, being a Yankee, and a redneck Yankee at that. With that understanding, if it’s legal, let ‘em march. Let each party do what’s legal. If there’s a problem, get the law changed. Or, as we’re doing on a national level, CHANGE THE LAWMAKERS!
Report Post »Christian Kalgaard
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 10:52pmwell said.
Report Post »It’s hypocritical, reverse discrimination and stinks to high heaven.
ShaolynRose
Posted on October 18, 2010 at 11:04pmI totally disagree. I do believe that she does have the right to do so. But she’s not doing it because she has the right, but because it holds meaning to her. She isn‘t racist if she’s attending a black friends wedding. Her ancestors fought in the civil war, and the flag represents that. I am from the south and the flag is flown everywhere. People may get offended but it doesn’t become an outrage. It’s just a representation of the south (at least for this area it is). For her it is a representation of her ancestors. For others it is offensive. but she’s not flying to be offensive is what the critical point.
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 6:26amWell said CAPTAINSPAULDING. I believe the flying of the Confederate Flag is covered under the Constitutional right of free speech. The Confederate States of America were formed by states that seceded from the United States of America over the question of “ states rights ” . The original goal was not the preservation of the established institution of slavery. Wasn’t it after President Lincoln called for a military buildup of 75,000 soldiers to force the southern states to abide by the northern states rulings that the southern states seceded from the Union/
Report Post »UPSETVET
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 6:35amWould the black community be more comfortable if hooded men marched down their streets and burned crosses in their yards? Who’s being “racists” in this controversy? Any American citizen has the right to determine what he or she does on their own property. It’s really a shame that a WHITE family moved into a BLACK community and upset the status-quo. “ There goes the neighborhood ”. Huh?
Report Post »abuckeye
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 9:37amAMEN CAPTAINSPAULDING and I wish we could remember that slavery hasn’t existed in the United States for 150 years. I don’t know a soul alive today that was a slave. Nor do I know any slave owners. I personally had nothing to do with slavery nor would I for that matter. I get so weary of White America being taken to task for something that those living now had nothing to do with or control over.
Report Post »splatman66
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 10:09amIf I was her, I’d make them a deal – as soon as the punks pull up there pants and stop showing off that @$$, then I would take down the flag!!!! :-P
Report Post »Citizen
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 10:40amRonTheVeteran that was probably the best point I saw in this thread, there was “good” soldiers who were americans fighting for the south. they were just on opposite side of a line when it broke out.
and for you people who think slavery had anything to do with the reasons behind civil war please keep researching, the freeing of the salves was a tactic used to help cripple the south- the war was about cotton and textile and trade, not about slavery.
Report Post »abencutler
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 11:49amFreedom , Or is it only freedom for one group?. Just like freedom of Speech is only for the Left.
Report Post »Bullcop34
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 12:15pm@ noname22…..Standing up for what you believe in, which is why the South seceded. Now, it was for slavery, so I understand how it goes both ways. Frankly, I don‘t plan to ever fly it and I’m from the South.
Now it was for Slavery….Really? No, not really. It was for States rights, not slavery. That is so NOT what seccesion nor the Civil War was all about. Slavery was not an issue, as the northern states were the ones that built the ships, financed the trips and sold the slaves to begin with. NOT the south. Plus, the north had slaves too so, as your reasoning would suggest, the north should have declared war on itself. Please do not rely on the standard text books. Do your homework, seek out the truth about the Civil War. A good place to start….“The South Under Seige”
Report Post »American only
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 1:11pmLet us not forget that this president has also done much to fan the flames of racial prejudice and no one is concerned about this!
Either we are free to speak or not! This is for all and not for some groups only!
Report Post »the_patriot
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 1:54pmI agree, the hypocrisy is deafening. I have good friends who happen to have black skin. But sometimes the reverse racism is ridiculous. It would be telling if someone started the NAAWP (National Association for the Advancement of White People), to see the reaction.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 2:00pmHave to say this lady moved into a neighborhood where the ethnic makeup would be offended by this flag being displayed.. it shows a lack of class on her part.. HOWEVER.. It is JUST a flag.. and HER heritage.. NONE of those protesting it were EVER a slave..so it can NOT bring up memories of SLAVERY..fact is the FLAG didn’t make people slaves.. people and the times did.. GET OVER IT and move on.. there are ignorant people in every culture.. bet these same people DON’T complain about the MEXICAN flag or the AMERICAN flag flown upside down with the MEXICAN flag raised above it..
Report Post »Cincinnatus Dogood
Posted on October 19, 2010 at 4:42pmIts a ONE WAY street. Thats all that needs to be said. I will call you a racist and then do the same act and callit a right. Its all bull***t.
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