Well, I wasn't going to wade into the flag discussion, but I actually have an interest, not so much in this particular issue, but in the larger field of symbolism, PC, etc... I probably have a slightly different view because the Confederate flag holds almost no meaning for me. The only time I see one is in the back window of a 4x4 pickup truck or as a sticker on the back of an old beater of a Monte Carlo... usually one with a giant NO FEAR decal across the back window.. In these instances, I can only read the flag as a symbol of devil-may-care rebelliousness.
However, I have an opinion on this issue... which may come as something of a surprise... (What!! Croc has an opinion on something??!! Quick, run outside to see if the sky is falling!!)
We are not without our own "flag issue" up here in the Frozen Wastelands. In most of Canada, flying the maple leaf is an act of pride and patriotism. However, in recent years, flying of the same flag in Quebec is increasingly (and unfortunately) regarded as an unofficial Act of Defiance. Whereas, in most parts of Canada, provincial flags are flown below or next to the Canadian flag, particularly on public buildings, in Quebec, the Canadian flag is often absent or flown in a position of obvious subordination to Quebec's provincial flag, the Fleur-de-Lys (a blue flag with white fleur symbols which were once the emblem of the royal family in France). In Ontario and other parts of Canada, we are occasionally seeing Fleur-de-Lys flags being flown in the yards of private residences.
I probably don't have to tell you that there is a lot of "loaded symbolism" occurring through the act of flying these particular flags in specific places and by certain individuals or institutions as in the above examples. As a "symbolic object", flags customarily attract a great deal of attention as people try to "read" the meaning of what it is meant to communicate. That is why flags are such powerful objects, and also explains why various groups often appropriate them for their own subversive purposes.
I understand your anger and annoyance over the misreading of the meaning, or more accurately, the multiplicity of meanings of the Confederate flag. However, the "problem" is not solely caused by the PC group that appears to hate the flag, but more importantly, by the appropriation of the "symbolic meaning" of the flag by the KKK and other similar organizations. The big problem, as I see it, is in preserving or restoring a symbol to its original meaning. This is JMDO, but destruction of a "symbolically loaded object", rarely accomplishes anything other than allowing the group which has subverted its meaning to claim a victory of sorts.... and so, Fred, you will see that I am in some agreement with you.
However, as I see it, there is a problem in trying to reclaim the original meaning of an object, especially one that has come to have very volatile and unsavory associations attached to it over time...the swastika being an excellent example.
It is true that sometimes it is possible to reclaim the meaning of an object. We need an example for this so let's go with bean-shaved heads, military boots, camouflage clothing, and tattoos. When we look at that "list", there are two ways of "reading" it. To some people those words create the image of a military person... probably a Marine... but to other people, the image that comes to mind will immediately be that of a skinhead. Undoubtedly, many war veterans are upset and annoyed when they see skinheads marching around in camis and military boots with their heads shaved like beans... But what the hell can they do about it? We live in democratic countries which allow a wide range of personal freedom in the form of speech, action, clothing, and the raising of flags or display of other symbolic objects. We can try to ban these "symbols", but it doesn't really accomplish much because the offenders will, no doubt, just go on to subvert some other image.... who knows... maybe soon they'll start dressing like Wall Street execs... ;-}>
About the only thing that really works is to make a symbol become incredibly uncool. That usually happens when it becomes popularized in some way by the masses, or when it begins to be counter-subverted by a group with opposing views... As in the case of the young people who began to shave their heads, wear Doc Martins and camis, but who are everything the skinheads are not. They have quite effectively stolen the power of the symbolism which the skinheads in turn appropriated from the mainstream military.
I don't have an answer to the "flag problem". Obviously, in "our time", some symbols are extremely painful for some groups of people to look upon and it seems only courteous not to wave the offending object in their faces... just as it might not be such a good idea to walk out into a pen full of bulls wearing a red cape even if you have purely honorable intentions and your name is Superman... Personally, I'm against the banning or restriction of symbolic objects as I see no useful purpose in doing so. I don't care what the object is...whether it is a cross, a flag, a piece of clothing, or a hairstyle. Every object can be made "unacceptable" to someone by flipping it upside down, setting it on fire, cutting it apart, placing it in an inappropriate location, or using it in some unexpected way. Such is the nature of subversiveness and there is little than can be done to stop it.
And as I have said above, the banning or destruction of a symbol is rarely effective as a means of re-appropriating its meaning. I believe that "time" may be the best, or perhaps only restorer of all. Over time, most symbols gradually lose or disperse their power, or possibly return to the meaning of their origins. The survival of a symbol is totally dependent upon those to whom it holds meaning... If they want it to survive, they will preserve its meaning, and it will. |
