In: Biology
5. Americans (including many historians) continue to search for meaning and understanding of the Civil War and the period of Reconstruction, as evidenced by the ongoing controversy over displaying the Confederate flag and renaming schools originally named after Confederate officers. Why is this historical period still so difficult and controversial for Americans? Why are we still at odds over its meaning(s)?
The Confederate flag can be explained easily as a flag that has 13-star saltire in red, white and blue. The flag is a recognizing symbol for Southern America. It came to existence at the time of civil war against slavery issue in America (year 1861-1865). There were total seven countries that were against anti-slavery legislation. The army of Northern Virginia was the first to adopt this flag as a battle flag. This flag was never officially adopted in America.
Reason for Controversies:
For the supporters, the flag is a symbol of ancestry, heritage and make the tradition of Southern America different from rest of the United States. However, for many Americans, the flag is a representation of slavery, hatred and white supremacy.
According to some historians, the representation of flag for heritage and history but not for hate is not acceptable because their history is inseparable from hate. It was all about racism, and slavery.
The flag to be banned in the state and beyond after nine black people were shoot dead in a historic church in South Carolina.
Maximum population of America reacts negatively to the sight of the flag. They feel that the flag and even names of Confederate officers remind them the harsh racial segregation that followed the Civil War.
The meaning of Confederate flag is still unclear because some supporters believe it as a symbol of Southern ancestry, heritage and a representation of independent cultural tradition of the Southern United States. Some groups use the "southern cross" as one of the symbols associated with their organizations, including groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. For other supporters, the Confederate flag represents only a past era of Southern sovereignty.