tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564158745566717441.post2056297317394741826..comments2011-12-08T07:57:21.154-08:00Comments on Inane Thoughts: Topix and the problems that post on itMr. Regahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15199145265419728779noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564158745566717441.post-35317262912114993262011-03-04T14:17:07.749-08:002011-03-04T14:17:07.749-08:00I can understand some points in the "heritage...I can understand some points in the "heritage, not hate" argument about the flag...the same argument I used when I got the rebel flag on my class ring in high school, even though the mascot was the actual rebel. It IS part of southern heritage and was a source of pride for a lot of people (ya know, in the 1800s). BUT, nationwide it's viewed as a symbol of a past that just won't go away. It represents pro-slavery attitudes, persecution, and racism toward minorities. For some reason southerners have clung to the flag with everything in them, grasping at straws trying to defend their love and respect for a symbol of hate. We lost the war. Let it go. Ya know, this is probably one of the reasons southerners are stereotyped as dumb hicks, now that I think about it. Rather than join the rest of the country in tolerance/acceptance/understanding, we cling to old traditions of racist behavior and call it respecting our "heritage."<br /><br />I would almost guarantee that if an anonymous survey was given at schools that have rebel mascots, the percentage of racism would be significantly higher. Why? Because it's deemed okay. The rebel is portrayed as powerful, aggressive, almost holy. And what rational racial minority would want to subject their children to school where this was the case? There's almost no chance of schools like this being able to provide a multicultural, accepting, and enriching life experience to their students. And why stop there? If it's okay to think of African Americans as less than, why not Hispanics or Muslims or homosexuals? *sigh* It's a downward spiral.<br /><br />Anyway, this turned out a lot longer than I intended, but I really liked your post. I wish more people would look the hell around and be able to say, "This isn't right."Mandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03013456038261279697noreply@blogger.com