Read the following article - Black Student Defends His Confederate Flag - and view accompanying video clip about Byron Thomas, a young African-American who attends the University of South Carolina at Beaufort - that's right, South Carolina. What are your reactions to his assertion that he is "proud" of the Confederate flag and feels that it is his right - under the Constitution - to display it? Whether you agree or disagree with Byron Thomas, back up your thoughts with some cold, hard, SPRITE-able facts. I expect a minimum 250 word developed body paragraph response that will show me the degree to which you have an A) historical appreciation as well as a B) personal perspective on this topic.
Monday, December 5, 2011
APUSH - The Irony of the Confederate Legacy
Read the following article - Black Student Defends His Confederate Flag - and view accompanying video clip about Byron Thomas, a young African-American who attends the University of South Carolina at Beaufort - that's right, South Carolina. What are your reactions to his assertion that he is "proud" of the Confederate flag and feels that it is his right - under the Constitution - to display it? Whether you agree or disagree with Byron Thomas, back up your thoughts with some cold, hard, SPRITE-able facts. I expect a minimum 250 word developed body paragraph response that will show me the degree to which you have an A) historical appreciation as well as a B) personal perspective on this topic.
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Byron Thomas absolutely has every constitutional right to display the Confederate Flag as a form of free speech and expression. However, freedom of speech or not, Thomas should know to the fullest extent what he's getting himself into and, just as everyone else should, take his freedom of speech with a sense of responsibility. He should know the history of the Confederate Flag and what it stands for and had stood for; protestors should never act in ignorance. He should also know that the Confederate Flag stood for the division of America into two nations: one slave-supporting and one non-slave-supporting. This, however, is not constitutionally possible, since - as of yet - there is nothing in the Constitution that says states can succeed from the union, as states give-up their sovereignty upon joining the union. There is much irony to be found in this situation, as for starters, South Carolina has the lowest passing rate of AP US History in the United States. To add to this, while not in any way deliberately depicting racism in any of my comments, the Confederacy was headed mostly by slave-owners, much of whom were white-skinned. Throughout the succession threats, South Carolina remained a free-state. The action of flying a Confederate flag could be mistaken as a proposal of secession, thus drawing more un-needed critics. So, while I fully applaud this kid for exercising his right to free speech, he should also take it with a healthy dose of responsibility, which – by my understanding of the video – he has.
I agree with Tyler, with how Byron Thomas has every right within the the First Amendment to have free speech and express where he's coming from. However, you have to recognize where this flag comes from, its background, and what it represents. Byron said, "why should I hold grudges and be bitter toward this flag? When I see this flag I don't see racism, I see Southern Pride." Southern pride? Really? Come on now, this flag represented division, slavery, hate, and now Byron's just going to sweep all of the history behind this flag under the rug. He is standing up for a lost cause...and doing nothing but stirring up an already troubled issue. There is so much pain(blood, sweat, and tears) behind that flag.
From Byron Thomas's point of view, yes he has the right to display that flag and yes people can just move on from the past. The United States of America has greatly exceeded other countries and is arguably the best. The United states has greatly changed from the time the confederate flag was even used AND that flag has never represented anything but southern pride. If Byron Thomas is a citizen of the United States he should be obligated to show pride for his country as a whole, not just the south. For he is not part of the dis-united States of America but is part of the United States of America. For many Americans today, looking back toward racial inequality is not a happy memory. I agree with Byron that Americans should move on. Americans should move on as a united group. An African American displaying the confederate flag with southern pride does not represent Americans moving on. My suggestion to Byron Thomas in regards to Americans moving forward , is displaying the flag we use today with the fifty stars and the thirteen stripes.
This whole situation is confusing. Sure, Byron Thomas has the right to display the flag. But it's almost as if he is changing up the meaning of the flag. In the past, it represented a wanted division of the United States. Now, Thomas is saying that it represents "southern pride". In class, Mr. K was talking about how symbols can change their meaning over a long period of time. For example, the Swastika. Nowadays, when people see that, we freak out. It is a symbol of pure evil. But before Hitler took it, it was a Buddhist symbol for peace. Think about how long it is going to take for people to look at it as a symbol of peace. I'm pretty sure it's no time soon. I don't think the US is ready to look at the Confederate flag in a positive way. The Civil War was very detrimental to the US in the late 1800's. It is not looked at positively and i don't think it will be for a long time. I think it's totally fine for people to have they're own views of things but when it is something this, I feel like Byron should have second thoughts on it.
Good comments, but make sure you are making your word count of 250 words minimum. Two options: keep your existing entry and add another or delete your current and add a new one that is long enough. And don't forget, we are talking about secession and not succession. The first one is to break away, the second is to follow in line.
I did not write enough words the first time so here is some more of my thoughts on Byron Thomas.
Byron Thomas displaying the Confederate flag as symbolism for southern pride is a fail. I understand he is probably advocating for southern state's rights but the confederate flag already has a meaning to it and it certainly does not stand for state's rights. Americans know the history of the confederate flag and not all of them have not forgotten . Americans do not want to go back to when there was racial inequality and the confederate flag is one of the symbols of it. Some people may argue that the civil war was a long time ago and this should not even be a big deal. I disagree because somebody who is displaying a flag that represents racial inequality with pride and maybe a little ignorance in the United States is kind of scary. Maybe someday the meaning of the confederate flag will be changed. But considering the fact that I am in an APUSH class that is reminding me of where the confederate flag came from, what it stood for and the motives of Southerners during the civil war, I cannot just push aside what this Byron Thomas is doing. Displaying the confederate flag does not accomplish “moving forward.” It does not accomplish advocating for state’s rights. Therefore, Byron Thomas is wrong in his approach to moving on and displaying state’s rights.
In the text here to follow, I will address not only Byron Thomas's assertion that he is proud of the confederate flag, but also his other opinions and views as the address of these will lead to a more complete painting of the man who is presenting this opinion. "When I look at this flag, I just don't see racism. I see pride, respect. Southern pride, that's what I see." He's right I do not see racism which according to Merriam-Webster is: a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race, and the first known use is 1933, you cannot label something with a word that was not even in use at the time of the offense if that was what he was going for, here his argument is sound, but where I do not see racism I see its abusive alcoholic father, slavery, and the sins of the father were passed to the son. Thomas sees respect, for what exactly, if it is respect for tearing themselves from the Union, we dragged them back kicking and screaming, if he think respect is earned from throwing adolescent tantrums and running away from home then yes he is right to see respect in the “Southern Cross.” Thomas sees pride, Southern pride, what exactly is that, for when the flag flew in battle it was a pride of their medieval way of life which, consequently meant slavery, if he is proud of this heritage than by all means he should fly the flag with pride. Thomas then went on to say, "Ignorance gave that flag a bad name, ignorant people like the KKK,” It was not the Klu Klux Klan that gave the flag a bad name, actually the name isn't even bad, it is what the flag was flown for that gave it the reputation of racism. The confederate battle flag was flown for an army that was defending the right to own slaves, it was not ignorance that gave the flag a bad name but the South that bestowed upon it the blood on their hands when sewing it. Thomas stated what the flag meant to him, “To me, it means more states' rights and no bigger government. The government was getting too big. I believe South Carolina knows me better than the federal government. I personally have a lot of pride from being in the South. I see some freedom from when the South seceded from the North. I know that sounds bad. I see freedom differently than most people see it. Just that you have the right to do what you want to do and form your own opinion.” The bottom line for me: I do not see that flag as a racist symbol. Only an ignorant person can say that. I have researched it and studied it.
More states' rights, we are the United States of America, emphasis on the “united,” the constitution has no mention of secession (not “succession” as Mr. K pointed out) states' rights are fine in words, but we already tried a confederation it was called the Articles of Confederation and there was plenty of states' rights but there was no country, this error was rectified and replaced by a federal government, a seven headed beast cannot do anything without running into problems. South Carolina knows Thomas better than the federal government, they knew him so well they thought he wanted to be a slave, but they must of known what was in his best interest right? Thomas has a lot of pride in being from the South, how proud he is of the South's “slave empire” legacy, because he takes pride of all the planters owning other human beings. He sees freedom as the “right to what you want to do and form your own opinion,” hah wait he's serious, he lives in a society we abide by certain restrictions placed upon us, these are the laws of the land and are a required aspect of society, without these the United States would become as crime ridden as the city of Juarez. Thomas does not see the flag as a racist symbol only ignorant people see that, and he has researched and studied it, only ignorant people see this flag as anything but racist, it flew for the fight of slavery, how is that not racist. Studying something is meaningless, type confederate battle flag, hit enter, and I'm sure you'll find views defending the flag as something other than racist, these mean nothing research is a joke in this day and age. I am going to agree with him on his opinion that you can't say anything without offending someone. It was not only the generation before us that labeled the flag racist, it was what the flag stood for that made it racist. The only thing that will cause this flag to not divide us will be the abolition of white supremacists and embittered neo-confederates. Thomas has three WHITE roommates that think what he's doing is “amazing,” do they perhaps go out on the weekend in robes and masks, they only think it is “amazing” because Thomas is an ignorant tool. Thomas doesn't wish to be called “African American” anymore, because they “want to be American,” this is not dividing into categories for reasons of racism, but pride, pride of ones heritage, for every American is an immigrant(yes even “Native Americans) meaning we came from all over the world not America, thus we label ourselves differently for we are all different, none of us are straight Americans. It is not a symbol of division and categories of American, but representing our pride in out heritage, wherever that may be. Thomas does have the right to interpret a flag as he sees fit, but he cannot expect others to see it the same way, and as for his statement of our generation supporting him, I for one do not and if I number among the minority as he assumes by using most then it is a sad day indeed for our nation. In our country opinions are like
sand they get into everything.
When I first heard that a black student was hanging the confederate flag in his dorm window I was shocked and a little surprised. After hearing his reasons I can relate to what he's trying to say. The civil war wasn't technically over slavery. It was mainly over state's rights and the right to secede. And when the flag was first created for the confederacy it was supposed to represent their unity and pride together. Yes the south was morally corrupt when it comes to the enslavement of human beings, but the South did realize their crimes during the war but refused to give in to the North because of their pride. Again, this is slightly idiotic and ridiculous but I can respect their obstinance and determination even if it was determination to keep their slaves. Every flag has a bloody history behind it, even our current one and the union flag. We also have to remember that the majority of the south didn’t have slaves and the men that were fighting under that flag weren’t plantation owners-although they were racist. So I can understand why the confederate flag symbolizes southern pride to Byron Thomas while to others it symbolizes the suffering that African Americans went through under the confederacy. Thomas does have the right to express his opinions and beliefs and his beliefs need to be respected even if we disagree completely with them. America is great because of these laws that enable us to our freedom of speech and while I find it ironic that Thomas is using his rights as an American citizen to show off the flag of a confederacy who thought American government was corrupt, I honor his right to express his opinion.
I am glad to read that you are engaging with the topics that I am selecting. Of course, when I came across this one, I had to make an assignment out of it because it not only fit with what we are currently studying, but it has the resonance of history behind it, a resonance that will echo forward and perhaps still be as troubling when many of you have your own children asked to comment on something much like this, if not this one itself. There is nothing easy about living in a democracy that has had the particular history that ours has, especially within the context of human slavery that was born of an historical necessity and perpetuated by an institutional mentality. Of course, one could also assert, and I think rightly, that the initial necessity was itself the product of an institutionally perpetuated mentality that saw little or nothing objectionable about capturing, herding, selling, transporting, reselling, and putting to hard work human beings from one place on Earth to an entirely different place on it. That the founders and the 16 Presidents (yes, I include Lincoln) and the 38 Congresses(1789 - 1863) before the passage of the 13th Amendment allowed slavery to persist is testament enough to the gripping power of "persisting mentalities" in human society, if not to the persistence or stubbornness of Americans in general when it comes to things that they value, be they human or not. So, it is not easy wrestling with issues such as this one, for there are not simple, clear, easy answers. There is rhetoric, there is emotion, and sometimes there is logic. But rarely do emotion and logic come together to crystallize into something inherently ethical without much cost in treasure and blood. Keep thinking, keep writing, keep dreaming of what that "City on the Hill" can be and should be, but also remember what it has been.
To be honest, I can see what Byron Thomas is trying to say, and where he's coming from. For the most part I don't think he should have hung that flag up and it obviously started a big problem with people really knowing the history, but I Do understand his words of southern pride. I am not for this or against this. Now he has some strong feelings about this and is strongly suggesting that we should just forget the past, but this confederacy flag/the civil war is far too much of a bloody, deathly event to just forget. We can never forget about our American history but yes we can move on from it. Actually most of the time I would support the idea of forgeting and moving on from the past. But no, not this time. The south seceeding from the union is a huge piece of African American history, and I think it can definately be a big step with a lot of courage for a black man to say this but it is even more foolish to say such a thing. I have such mixed emotions on his comment but to conclude I would even more say that this was a stupid idea. Now you can use this as somewhat motivation for "southern pride" but keep your ideas to yourself.
Is it wrong or right to hang a Confederate flag up anywhere it can go both ways. But today America is a free country and Byron Thomas has a right to hang up the flag. Seeing the flag people can see it as a threat or history. Just because someone doesn't like what another perosn does doesn't mean you can tell on him because your not going to do anything to him but start a fight that doesn't need to happen. The Confederate Flag when I see it, southern states holding slaves and I don't believe in that. The way we treated them and called them it just makes me remember America was not the perect place to live in. The flag reminds me of torture, blood, suffering, and pain. In my opinion there's no right or wrong it's not our buisness to get into someone's else's buisness for what he see's in an object like Thomas see's in the Confederate Flag. But I still think Byron Thomas should look at the flag more and re-think what the flag had inflicted and caused on people. There was a lot racism back in the past but there is still racism today but not as bad. But I think he should take the flag down before a stupid person causes anything.
I am not for or against Byron Thomas hanging the Confederate flag in his dorm room because according to the First Amendment of the Constitution he has every right to. Byron Thomas states, “When I look at this flag, I just don't see racism. I see pride, respect. Southern pride, that's what I see." I can understand where he is coming from when he says this. When people think of the Civil War they often stereotype it as a war fought over the immorally repugnant aspect of slavery, however it was so much more than that. There were economic and social differences between the North and the South which was the major cause leading to the Civil War. The South was based on a one crop economy: cotton. Because it was grown everywhere in the South, the need to expand was growing and so was the need of cheap labor, slaves. Therefore, if the South was to expand west there would be a greater need for slaves and the North did not like that. This led to a rift between the United States. This as well was only a partial cause of the Civil War. We also have to remember that an increase in slavery would mean no middle/ working class. Many Americans don’t remember and an even greater number don’t know these causes of the Civil War thus leading to controversial topics such as Byron Thomas’s Confederate flag; however, I am not solely blaming the American people’s ignorance for causing a storm over Byron Thomas exercising his rights because even if one has complete knowledge over the Civil War, I can still understand them being shocked over this. However as Americans since we are given the ultimate right to free speech, we also have to come to terms with respecting them whether we agree with them or not.
I agree that Byron Thomas has every constitutional right to hang the confederate flag. Beyond that, I even understand his point of view. He says that the flag represents southern pride to him, but what exactly is he proud of? The fact that the south under that flag would have been a place where innocent people would have been enslaved, or simply the fact that the south would have had complete control over themselves? In class, Mr. Korling gave a great example of another symbol in history that was once a sign of death and is now a sign of life. The Cross used in the Christian and Catholic religions is not a symbol of execution as it used to be, but is now a symbol of everlasting life. So in that frame of mind, the Confederate flag could stand as a symbol of what was overcome in the south, a solemn reminder of the dark says of the past, so as to never repeat them again. This does not, however, mean that I agree, just that I understand possible reasons why someone would believe it perfectly reasonable to hang the flag.
I mean no disrespect to Thomas when I say that his reasoning for hanging the flag is not sound. To me, it is strange to wave any flag belonging to a country of questionable history. To me, the confederate flag represents the darkest period of our country's history, and it is wrong to hang that flag. Thousands of men died trying to keep this country together, and hanging the confederate flag is disrespectful to them. After all they did, there are still people in the south who believe in "Southern Pride". To me it is a faint reminder of the disunion that once existed. In my opinion, if they want to show pride for their state rather than their country, they should wave their state flag, not the confederate one.
Byron Thomas has every right to hang the Confederate Flag in his dorm. He has the right of freedom of speech. There is a lot of controversy over this topic, however, because Thomas is African American, and the Confederate flag supposedly is synonymous with racism and slavery. By doing this, the critics suggest that Thomas is racist. When the American Civil War was going on, the Confederate Flag was a symbol of the break between the North and the South because of the two main conflicts occurring between them: slavery and states rights. Slavery was only part of the symbolism behind the Confederate Flag. The Confederacy in the South were fighting for what they believed in, just like the North was. The controversy that is with us now only lies here because the North won the Civil War, and we have accepted the North's flag as our national symbol. The North flag, however, still had beliefs against those of the South. The North was still against slavery, and yet the racism starts there. They wanted the abolition of slavery, but wanted the African Americans to stay in the South. They had no desire to live right alongside the newly freed slaves. At point, the North was just as racist as the South. The Confederate flag, however, was degraded by being used by the KKK. This manipulated the meaning of the Confederate flag directly to slavery, as the Northern flag was kept “pure.” Byron Thomas can be proud of the Confederate flag and what he thinks that it stands for, as it is clearly not racism or slavery.
First of all, I would like to ask, what exactly is, “Southern pride?” Is it the fact that they have gumbo and fried chicken or should I say southern soul food? If anyone would care to define it for me, that would be great. But the true question is in what manner of “southern pride” IS he proud of? The fact that that eleven states from the South decided to secede from the Union on the issue of slavery? Or was it possibly the reason that the South possessed a certain “valor” to break away from the United States of America? We may never know. But one aspect of this whole controversy that I truly have to believe in is that he most definitely has the right of freedom of speech, to voice his opinion. Byron Thomas argues that ignorance gives the Confederate flag a bad name, but I beg to differ. Sometimes people cringe at the sight, thought, and hearing of the word Confederacy. The word Confederacy is not abominable and should not even be considered forbidden. After all, Confederacy is merely a name. It was the South’s rationale of why they concluded in seceding from the North that gave them a terrible reputation. Slavery was the explanation of why the South’s judgment was morally unsound. If someone desires to acquire something they will use all their power to justify it and do whatever it takes to have it. And that was precisely what the South did. They also believed that individual states’ rights had and should have far more authority than the federal government. And at one point in time, no compromise would be able to mend the tears of the seams on the American flag. In truth the South could not let go of its past. Instead it continued to hold on to the medieval way of life. Slavery as an institution was already put in place and practiced by the Spaniards and Portuguese long before the English came. And when the Founding Fathers drafted the constitution, they decided not to “touch” the “touchy” topic of slavery. As a fledging nation, the United States did not amount enough unity to agree or disagree on the obliteration or establishment of slavery. Slavery, during Thomas Jefferson’s time, was a “necessary evil,” but soon it was later referred as morally good for them. How was that good? Clearly, the approach in which people think nowadays has evidently evolved. Thomas justifies that the flag does not embody racism, when it indeed can. Slavery, as we remember it, was the degradation of blacks and the uplifting of whites. Slavery was also an economic investment. The number of slaves measured a plantation owner’s wealth and their status within society. Even the poorest of whites felt that they were superior using the color of their skin as justification. The achievable stances on this current subject matter are endless.
I do not technically agree under any circumstance that Bryan Thomas, under the constitution, has the right to fly the Confederate flag. The Confederate flag not only symbolizes a state of rebellion but also an evil and barbarous practice that we Americans, in our most primitive days, have exercised …slavery. One in particular statement that Bryan Thomas proudly declared, during an interview with CNN, was that the Confederate flag “is not racist but a symbol of southern pride.” My question is how, in any way, can a “symbol” of so many atrocities represent a sense of “southern pride?!” How can you take pride within a flag imbedded with the corrupt beliefs of the Confederates?! How can you even stand to look at a flag that sums up the history of injustice done by those barbarous people?! The arguments made that state he has every right, under the constitution, to fly the Confederate flag because the first amendment declares the right to Freedom of Speech to all American citizens in my personal opinion is completely void. The reason as to why I believe this is that the Confederate flag represented and still represents today a state of rebellion which I feel goes against the constitution and all that we American people believe in as a nation. How can something that goes against the Constitution be protected under the constitution? The logic behind Thomas’ argument do not make any sense at all. He, to some extent is displaying the “Hamiltonian view” of a loosely interpreted Constitution. Have we not learned from our mistakes that we have made in the past? Therefore, as you can probably tell by now, Bryan Thomas’ argument which is that “he has every right to display that horrific flag,” is not and never should be permissible or protected under the Constitution.
I can see where Byron Tomas is coming from. He is a southerner. Born and raised, therefore he will have pride. He also has every right to hang the flag in his window. But he should know, no matter what rights he has or doesn't have, that the confederate flag does not represent a time that America is necessarily proud about. It's kind of confusing why a young black student would be proud and willing to support the flag which represents the confederate south considering it was slave territory. The south wasn't known for treating blacks with care at all, so it makes sense why he wouldn't support it. But he does, which from his point of view might seem like a good idea since he thinks the confederate flag represents unity and pride for the south. But just because most american's would not approve of the hanging of this flag doesn't mean anyone can tell Byron what to think, believe, hang, wear or anything. Byron Thomas should know the complete history behind the confederate flag, which since he's in the south, I'm guessing he didn't learn the full story behind it. Maybe if he knew exactly why the flag is frowned upon, and got educated on the subject, he'd change his mind. The flag was used during one of the times when the United States wasn't "united", by the south who supported slavery, didn't care and only wanted what would benefit themselves. Supporting the confederate flag is pretty much like supporting George Bush, a lost cause. It's done and over with, time to move on.
Byron Thomas has the right to hang the flag but I think he should not. His ignorance to what the flag symbolizes seems to be his own bliss and I do not have a problem with that. Since he is not racist I am not bothered by the fact that he redefines a symbol of slavery in his own mind. What bothers me is the part of the flags symbolism that Byron Thomas does believe in. This ideal is the ideal of a south as the south instead of the south as the United States. Regardless of the historically determined symbolism of the confederate flag, Byron still perceives of the confederate flag as a symbol of pride unique to only half the country of the United States, and that is where Byron’s expression can produce negative effects. The matter of perception that separated the north and the south sparking the civil war is the same matter of perception that many southerners have today. If Byron promotes an ideal that influences people’s views towards this ignorant perception then Byron is affecting the unity that this country needs. If Byron’s motives are truly innocent and he is at heart a patriot that also takes pride in the region that he admires, I believe he still needs to find a different symbol that was not founded upon principles of slavery and disunity. A few people like Byron in ignorant stupidity is not a problem, so my hope is only a few will take such grounds.
I believe, even though Byron Thomas doesn't have the constitutional right to "freedom of expression" (which cannot be found anywhere IN the Constitution) he has every moral right to express his beliefs and hang the confederate flag. However, I feel that if Byron Thomas knew the historical background of the confederate flag he would see the truth behind it all and possibly change his views. Maybe since he's from the south he wasn't taught the full, historically correct background of the flag. I don't think we should necessarily forget about how the South contributed to make America what it is today. It is a bit confusing how Byron Thomas, a young black student, would support the Confederate South considering its dark historical past. The Southern slave holding states did not treat African Americans in such a way that, no matter what age, African Americans today should be prideful about. The Confederate represents disrespect to The United States Constitution as well as southern rebellion. In a sense Byron Thomas has the same mentality as a white confederate plantation owner, who were also slave owners. Which would mean he is essentially a twenty-first century plantation owner, which doesn't make any sense considering he is black. When questioned, Byron Thomas answered,"Why should I hold grudges and be bitter toward this flag? When I see this flag I don't see racism, I see Southern Pride." In my opinion, this isn't a very educated response considering the history behind the meaning of this flag.
Byron Thomas undoubtedly has the constitutional right to express his opinions and views through the display of the Confederate Flag. However, although he would have us believe that the issue in question is over his rights as an American citizen to display the flag or voice his views in public, this is not the true conflict at all. The conflict arises from his choice to support and stand behind a cause that brutally and cruelly justified the subjugation of an entire group of HUMAN BEINGS due to pre-concieved racial prejudices. He chooses to ignore what the flag truly represents in order to draw attention to a cause he believes he can create; forgetting, or rather rewriting the past to a more preferable version than the one that actually occurred. A similar act to the one that Byron Thomas has done would for a college student to begin sporting the Nazi swastika. Similar to Byron Thomas' response, this hypothetical student would defend the very sign that Hitler used to justify genocide by claiming; "I do not wish to remember the suffering attached to this sign, nor the millions of lives lost. In my opinion to remember such things are to continue the cycle of hatred." How are we to respond to such flawed thinking? We forgive the transgressions of past generations, but to ignore the lessons portrayed by these mistakes would be to choose to remain ignorant and learn nothing from the past.
And as history shows us, assuming we choose to ignore the path of Byron Thomas and remember history, those who refuse to learn from the past are just asking to repeat it.
Mike Garr
APUSH
1/13/12
I agree that Byron Thomas has every right to display his Confederate Flag, and express his views on it. However, I do not believe that he fully understands the seriousness of hanging this flag up. He said in the article that some of the other black students were okay with the flag, yet that still does not make it alright. He is not taking in to consideration that people, black or not, are taking offense to the flag, and no matter what their race is, they, as Southerners, think of the flag as rascist; so he backs his actions up with "Southern Pride", but he's not caring about his fellow Southerners' feelings of the flag, which he knows are rascist feelings(he states so in the article when he talks of changing the views of his generation on the flag). It is also very bizarre to me that he didn't care about the feelings of his fellow Southerners about the flag , yet he cares about the same views that only his parents have about the flag; this was one of the reasons why he took that flag down (his parents dissapointment). He also talks about the ignorant people, like the KKK, giving the flag a bad name; so the flag has already been given a bad name (skinheads, slavery), so why would he try to see past that when many people see it as hateful and racist.
MikeGarr
APUSH
1/13/12
Once again, Byron Thomas has every right to hang up his Confederate Flag, however I think he should think over the possible consequences/ educate himself on American history a little more before he decides to do somehting like this again.
I know this post is very old and maybe only one or two(if I'm lucky) will actually re visit it, but I would still like to point out that Bryon Thomas supposed "free speech" is not protected under the constitution. The primary reason for this is that when the Great War was going on, America was very sensitive torwards antiwar socialists and as a result passed both the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Seditions Act of 1918. Many people thought that these acts directly uprooted the first amendment and began challenging the law. However, in the case "Schenck vs United States," of 1919, the supreme court was able to confirm not only the legality but the necessity of the both the Espionage Act and Sedition Act saying that any speech that "poses a 'clear and present danger'" to the nation can and will be revoked. I have been meaning to create more of a debate out of this because this is a very interesting and controversial issue but my lack of knowledge on the subject(up until now) prevented me from doing so. However, now that I have found a supreme court case that upholds my argument that I made a few months ago(which most people disagreed with) I would like to see how many people would still stay true to their arguments made or perhaps change their mind in light of this new information.
P.S. Mr. Korling I would like it if you would perhaps bring up this topic again in class and reassign this to see how much our opinions have changed over the past fews months in light of the new material we have went over and the new information we have attained since then.
Also please read my original argument on this topic to clarify where I am getting this idea of hostility towards America that Bryon is advocating. It would greatly help in understanding my most recent post on this topic.
(Also please forgive me for spelling "towards" "torwards" in my most recent post. I would go back and change it but my mental power is very minimal at the moment because it is very late and it is time for me to go to bed.)
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