I understand southern pride fully !
Why don't you move there ?
I've grew up for many years in Kentucky and spent a lot of time in the military bases in the south until our family settle down in Illinois. Most of my friends today are still from the south and their ancestors fought in the Civil war against the Union. Yet, they have a very deep understanding of the confederate flag and how its weaponized by some to try to intimidate others.
They feel the same about the BLM flag...people have weaponized it.
Although I've never seen a BLM flag (except for on TV)...it looks like a "slogan" to me. In contrast, there's a deep institutionalized meaning of behind the Confederate flag of southern heritage, slavery and white supremacy.
I doubt the BLM flag will ever reach such a status symbol as the Confederate flag in how its being weaponized nor was it ever part of a civil war being defeated by the Union in a Civil War to later be known as traitors to America.
- Regardless, the Confederate flag is regularly weaponized by neo-Nazis idiots and far-right extremists as they seek to intimidate African Americans and other people of color. The Confederate flag is also used to target Jewish Americans.
With that said, there are people that "only" associate southern pride with the Confederate flag
without trying to weaponize it. Yet, they're also respectable to others that are offended by the Confederate flag and they then show their
southern pride in other ways.
Reality, you're born and raised in the North.
You may understand the southern pride but you have never grown up separating the southern pride from the Confederate flag. In fact, you've already equated the Confederate flag with the BLM flag which doesn't even come close to the historical symbolism of the Confederate flag.
Personally, I view
flags from a military point of view. They originated mainly in warfare, and to some extent they have remained insignia of leadership, serving for the identification of friend or foe and as rallying points. They are now also extensively employed for signaling, for decoration, and for display.
At the same time, what you have inside your home and/or on your property without trying to intimidate others...that's your business.
wrbtrader
