We are confused by the presence of Confederate flags in Northern states like Wisconsin and Michigan because we tend to reduce the Confederacy to the fight over slavery. But its failed attempt to enshrine white supremacy taps into a much broader and deeper American legacy.

This past week the Republican state treasurer in Wisconsin claimed that "the Confederacy was more about states’ rights than slavery." In Michigan a Republican state senator wore a Confederate flag mask to the state capitol.

It's not heritage, it's hate plain and simple.