Today I created a new flag.
It is my response to the number of Confederate Battle Flags that have cropped up in my county in the last couple of years. It seems odd that a Northern Maryland County (we border Pennsylvania) is suddenly dotted with field colors that last saw legitimate action in 1865. But I’ve noticed more and more of them on flag poles, hanging in from front porches and in upper story window along the rural route of my daily commute. Its not like there’s one on ever block, but there are too many to be ignored.
The latest one appeared today. It was on private property (I presume) but it was displayed high enough to be seen from the interstate, just before an off ramp. How very welcoming.
The Confederate battle flag, called the “Southern Cross” or the cross of St. Andrew, has been described variously as a proud emblem of Southern heritage and as a shameful reminder of slavery and segregation. In the past, several Southern states flew the Confederate battle flag along with the U.S. and state flags over their statehouses. Others incorporated the controversial symbol into the design of their state flags. The Confederate battle flag has also been appropriated by the Ku Klux Klan and other racist hate groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, more than 500 extremist groups use the Southern Cross as one of their symbols. [Infoplease.com]
I suspect I’ll get some unhappy responses to this post. Perhaps some one will tell me that flying the Rebel Flag is part of their Freedom of Speech. I believe strongly in the Freedom of Speech, and I’m glad I live in a country that allows me the right to speak up when I see something that I wrong. (And it is wrong to fly a symbol that is allied with the KKK and more than 500 extremist groups.)
And if you are flying THAT flag to show your appreciation of Southern culture, do us all a favor… get in touch with your inner Southern gentleman and find another Southern icon to celebrate… Pecan Pie, perhaps.
*(I know … that’s also the way you show distress,)
ritaLOVEStoWRITE 
November 15th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
I remember moving to Maryland from the west coast and was appalled at the number of confederate flags (back in 1999) And overcome by the beauty of the Maryland state flag. Over the years they have slowly disappeared but I have recently noticed a resurgence. Very disturbing. All I can hope is that the current phase is a fad of ignorant individuals that don’t understand the symbolism and as a fad, this too shall pass? Hope is eternal after all.
November 16th, 2013 at 4:08 am
I know what you mean. And I’ve been living here all my life.
June 30th, 2015 at 12:49 pm
Actually, my father, a lifelong flag collector, just explained to me that the Confederate flag was designed for the stars to point to the top of the stripes, not the top of the flag, so funny thing…almost everyone is flying it upside down already.
June 30th, 2015 at 2:40 pm
Not sure I understand how the stars would point to the top of the stripes. Would the flag have to be hung on the pole so the long side was facing the pole and shorter side was top and bottom? Not sure I get what your father is saying, but I’m interested to know. Also I find it curious that I wrote this original post in 2013 and it is still so topical. Hmm. Thanks for your input.