I'm from the South, specifically small town TX and the Confederate flag has been a cultural issue that I've had trouble articulating to people outside this culture *thread*

First, I am not defending the confederacy, the civil war was based on slavery and the era after was filled with racism and Jim Crow. But there is another cultural aspect that the Confederate flag came to symbolize, this culture I'm sure will sound trashy to many...

The flag became a counter culture redneck symbol associated with mudding in a truck with oversized tires, hunting, fishing, living in a double wide in the middle of nowhere, field parties, etc. This, not racism is what many people are feeling is under attack

I guess the best way to explain this is an analogy to much rap music that is about "bitches and hoes" or "gang life." It would be ridiculous to think everyone who listened to those lyrics wanted to mistreat women or take up a life of crime

I also completely understand the backlash when whole bunch of people not even familiar with the culture started accusing people who listened to rap as all "misogynistic" or "gang bangers."

The actions of a person not the flag or music they listen to should really be factored into your opinion of them. Don't assume someone who likes the Confederate flag is a a racist, or assume people pissed about the move to eradicate the Confederate flag are racist

I'd like to end this with, if you've never enjoyed a field party with a bonfire, some guy playing a guitar, and lone star beer then you are truly missing out.