Rebel Flag Controversy

In response to an iReport.com story done by a guy in FL about a large Confederate battle flag being flown close to a major freeway at the site of a Sons of Confederate Veterans memorial park that is being built (visit online video article here), I wrote this response (aimed more at some others who commented on the video than the video itself):

Cldart // 31 minutes ago

I'll try to keep my thoughts organized: A. As horrible as slavery was, the South wasn't trying to be anti-American, because unfortunately slavery built America into a viable economic power and wasn't illegal. Future President & Union General U. S. Grant kept his own slaves until Emancipation--after the War--unlike Gen. Robert E. Lee, who freed his before the War. Lee only reluctantly fought for the Confederacy. The last straw for... I'll try to keep my thoughts organized: A. As horrible as slavery was, the South wasn't trying to be anti-American, because unfortunately slavery built America into a viable economic power and wasn't illegal. Future President & Union General U. S. Grant kept his own slaves until Emancipation--after the War--unlike Gen. Robert E. Lee, who freed his before the War. Lee only reluctantly fought for the Confederacy. The last straw for him was when Federal troops invaded Virginia. Before you claim the "re-writing" of history, go and actually read some history books written for an audience above the 8th grade! You'll learn a lot--life (esp. war) isn't so black-and-white. B. As far as the North=good / South=evil paradigm, the worst race riots took place in the North, after the Civil War as recent "white" immigrants fought for the same jobs as Blacks moving North, and many abolitionists (including Lincoln) were racists who wanted the freed slaves to go back to Africa. Post-War Southerners fell into 3 main camps, the only reason the highly racist and reactionary "radicals" gained power was because of the radically oppressive policies of Reconstruction, put in place by Pres. Johnson, who hated the South. (Lincoln would have done things differently, more like South Africa after apartheid.) C. Free speech is protected in the U.S., and flying a historical flag is included, though I agree the Stars and Bars would have been a wiser (& more accurate) choice. D. As far as "America" won, or the "North" won so give up already attitude--do you guys hold the same feelings for "conquered" Native American tribes? No sovereignty or "rights" or cultural identity left for them? Just "give up already" and "assimilate!" How "Liberal" do you sound now? What about recent immigrants who are still proud of their own ethnic identity and wave the flags of their homeland, even though they are also proud Americans. Should that also be outlawed? Examine your own prejudices, people...

Now, I am a Californian and the proud "son" of a Union veteran, but having studied some about the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history, I have learned that the issues are complex, and it gets me upset when people automatically associate the South with racism. I stand for the right of Southern Americans to respectfully display symbols of their heritage, and exercise the same freedom of speech as other Americans enjoy.

I feel that more than actually caring about history or racism or other "real" issues, most people simply want to not have to think or feel or care about anything, and would rather be "comfortable" and not have to deal with controversy or ideas or the complexities of pluralism or perhaps their own racism. Life isn't supposed to be "easy," just good.