Confederate Flag Prom Photo With Gun-Toting High Schoolers Backfires

[B_J 2,752]

I'll take a stab at this for my sista on here:

I think Janelle is implying the kids KNEW the history behind the flag and chose still to post the pic. Now, it can be argued(as seen here) the kids didn't look at the slavery aspect and just love the South. This might very well be the case. As Val said, it's possible this might very well be the case. So, it can go both ways. Personally, I don't know what their intentions were, so without more context, I can't say if it was kids having fun or maybe a more sinister meaning.

If I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

How can she possible know what the kids knew? If someone came on here and made a blanket generalization about the rioters, what their reasons were, you would call them on it. And rightly so. What's the difference now?

Either we try to be understanding, or we don't. We either make assumptions based on nothing, or we don't.

[Boiler 45,516]

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

Edited May 7, 2015 by Boiler

[decocker 7,198]

No it isn't, but the same is true of WW2. You don't generally hear about German soldiers who fought to defend their homes and country, as opposed to people who believed in the nazi party.

The USA no doubt has a more nuanced view of the civil war since Americans were on both sides.

The problem I think with the confederate flag is that some people use it to deliberately invite controversy, regardless of what it originally stood for and what it means to that person.

Recognising it's place in American history is fine, using it to promote division not so much.

if they controversy is there, it needs to be hashed out. americans have a real hard time looking realistically at our history and discussing it. we'd much rather pick a side to pick on the other.

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

no, slavery was not a 'minor' issue of the civil war. that's silly.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

Begs the question what the flag means.

Not sure how the myth about slavery came into being, there are acres of literature on the origins and at best this was a minor issue.

The concept of the North and South going to war over slavery is just silly.

But we do know the south stood to lose a lot economically, without their slaves. So the idea of freeing the slaves in rebellious states that didn't want to unit was ludicrous to those in the south who did not want to unit with the north.

[decocker 7,198]

But we do know the south stood to lose a lot economically, without their slaves. So the idea of freeing the slaves in rebellious states that didn't want to unit was ludicrous to those in the south who did not want to unit with the north.

boiler just told a story. and it ain't a new one.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

boiler just told a story. and it ain't a new one.

I know. But I responded to his make believe notion anyway.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

How can she possible know what the kids knew? If someone came on here and made a blanket generalization about the rioters, what their reasons were, you would call them on it. And rightly so. What's the difference now?

Either we try to be understanding, or we don't. We either make assumptions based on nothing, or we don't.

She doesn't know. I'm just telling you what I see from her comments. This is why I said I haven't made any comments on it since I need more context in order to do so.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

How can she possible know what the kids knew? If someone came on here and made a blanket generalization about the rioters, what their reasons were, you would call them on it. And rightly so. What's the difference now?

Either we try to be understanding, or we don't. We either make assumptions based on nothing, or we don't.

Sure, there is a very small chance they didn't know.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

How can she possible know what the kids knew? If someone came on here and made a blanket generalization about the rioters, what their reasons were, you would call them on it. And rightly so. What's the difference now?

Either we try to be understanding, or we don't. We either make assumptions based on nothing, or we don't.

Sure, there is a very small chance they didn't know.

Ok, that will be 19.99 plus tax. I'll be here all week.

I just love it when a plan comes together...

[B_J 2,752]

She doesn't know. I'm just telling you what I see from her comments. This is why I said I haven't made any comments on it since I need more context in order to do so.

Here's what I'm saying. In the rioting threads, there were statements made about there being no excuse for rioting. And you explained it; you didn't say it was right or that you agree, you just explained the other point of view. I'm pretty sure Janelle was in total agreement with you.

Do these kids get the same treatment? Not say that they are right or that we agree with them; but maybe there is an explanation for their behavior: that they are dumb kids who don't know why what they did offends us all. Or do we just say that there is no excuse for what they did: "There is no excuse for ignorance"

By the way, this got me thinking about the N-word. I mentioned that I hear kids use it all the time with their friends of all races. It's really weird to me. The kids don't seem to understand the meaning. Just like I've seen so many young people who don't understand the meaning of the confederate flag.

Here is my philosophical question for you: Do you think we are better as a country if the next generation has no real understanding of those two things. If they don't see that word or the flag as divisive. They just live their lives with much less racial division because of ignorance. Is that better or not?

[decocker 7,198]

not better.

[B_J 2,752]

not better.

Would you care to expand on that? lol

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Not better

[decocker 7,198]

Would you care to expand on that? lol

i was keeping it short because you didn't ask me.

not better because we have alive and kicking institutionalized racism in this country, we need a generation of kids who grow up accutely aware of it's presence and how it came to be - in order to dismantle it. a bunch of black and white kids with no filter for the n word is just what happened when rap (which used to be very revolutionary, imo) turned into hiphop (90s) became pop culture (now).

[B_J 2,752]

i was keeping it short because you didn't ask me.

not better because we have alive and kicking institutionalized racism in this country, we need a generation of kids who grow up accutely aware of it's presence and how it came to be - in order to dismantle it. a bunch of black and white kids with no filter for the n word is just what happened when rap (which used to be very revolutionary, imo) turned into hiphop (90s) became pop culture (now).

That makes sense. I hear the word used now among kids and it has the same meaning as "friend". It's really weird to me. I just wonder if that is a step in the right direction as a country or not. I really don't know. But what you said makes sense. I do think that this generation is much more open-minded racially than previous generations. Not perfect, but better.