Feelings on displaying the Confederate flag on your POV or person while on a military installation?

Growing up in the north and the south and having family from both and african American family aswell this has been a discussion many times and we have all come to the conclusion that the only reason the flag is an issue are people that use race as a way to build there own agendas !! Like the way the whole ferguson issue was carried on and now we have more hate and discontent and dead police officers ! The the problem is racism is a double edged sword and without proper education it will always make hearts bleed

I personally don't understand why people are so proud of the Confederate flag or why it is still flying any place in this country 150 years after the Civil War. From the flag's very conception it was Anti-American. It was flown by people who wanted nothing to do with America any more, and decided to start their own country. It is a complete contradiction to fight for the American flag and defend the Confederate one at the same time. Regardless of how it reminds southerners of fond memories of home, that doesn't change what the flag represents. To think that you can just change what something like that represents after 4 years of Civil War is as misguided as African Americans saying they are putting a positive spin on the N word by using it to address each, or dropping the "er" and replacing it with an "a". That word still means what it was originally intended to, and so does the flag. Then you throw on all the racial connotations associated with it as well. To me it's a no brainer. What's even more ironic is a lot of times people that support the Confederate Flag are the same people who get mad at Mexicans and Puerto Ricans for displaying their home country's flag in America. At least those flags aren't Anti-American.

(1) How do you feel about the Confederate flag being displayed on the vehicle/person of a service member if he/she is ON post? How does your opinion change if the member is OFF post?

My first impression is the person displaying this flag probably would attack me if he had the chance, because of what economic system fueled its origins. I think of Willie Lynch a businessman in the slave industry around the world. This is my opinion only, here is a statement he made while speaking to slave owners somewhere in the colony of Virginia in 1712,

“I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves, and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies, and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little test of differences and think about them. On the top of my list is "Age", but it is there because it only starts with an "A"; the second is "Color" or shade; there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantations, attitude of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine or coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action--but before that, I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust, and envy is stronger than adulation, respect, or admiration” (African American images, 2015 p. 1). http://www.africanamericanimages.com/aai/willie%20lynch.htm

Fact or fiction this individual or someone made up served as a catalyst to perpetuate the success of an economic system based off human labor for hundreds of years. This cannot be disputed.

As a black man this strikes me with fear. To think our Constitution once authorized this type of doctrine is even more terrifying. In addition, the reality is, some Americans still view this man (or the idea) in high regard today not only in the south.

I think of President Woodrow Wilson, who brought segregation to the North in the federal government. This flag represents the reality that with enough votes our Constitution can return to the acceptance of the doctrine translated into something else.

I don’t see it as a racial superiority issue as much as an economic belief system that used slaves all around the world as production capital. Some may say that the Bible condones slavery. Well, I was fortunate enough to hold a real slave bible from the 1800’s in my hand from a Professor from Colorado State foreign policy class in 2002. The bible is saw had verses in there reflected the 18th century ideas of what being a slave should be twisting the Bible texts out of context. Easy because speaking African language slaves probably did not know any better.

My second impression is the individual displaying the flag may have family legacy that may not have ties or beliefs to slavery, but was part of the Confederate Nation.

I think of a conversation I had with a German National who taught school at our American High School in Vilseck Germany. We started talking about Hitler. He said that Hitler was a good leader that got Germany out of their economic depression, but he did not agree with his racial superiority and world dominance agendas. His father was an officer in the SS before and during WWII. I think if we get past the high octane emotions of the fluff we can begin to find a path to snuffing out racial hate.

1LT L S , your impassioned defense of SSG Porter is commendable, but do you know the back story to the issue? Firstly, no one threatened him with any UCMJ actions. He was merely warned that as a still active Soldier publicly denigrating the President of the United States was a stupid and potentially career-ending undertaking. His service, however commendable, does not make him immune to the repercussions of his own actions. You mentioned his various deployments in an Infantry capacity, again that is commendable and as an Infantry officer that would normally endear him to me but there is a reason I have called him out. How many of your Soldiers would call you a punk, how many will also be disrespectful to your 1SG? SSG Porter has done both to Officers and senior NCOs at rallypoint. Perhaps this tidbit will help temper your defense of his actions.

With regards to the Stars and Bars, perception is everything. It will vary from person to person, whether they view its purposes for history, racism, or just a memory of home. That being said, I really have no problem, as long as it's displayed with respect and decency.

I am from Alabama and the Confederate Daughters of the Revolution still fly a garrison sized one off of I-65 south. What it symbolizes to me strictly is history and one that is past, not present. I am not offended nor proud of what it has become. Some folks have used it as a symbol of a negative feeling or representation of hatred. It is a shame that has been the case. The state flags that have had to change due to political correctness is a shame also. Would any of us like to be say 40 or 50 years old (young compared to the age and history of a state) and be told our name is offensive and have to change it? I think not. I do not have offense to the flag itself, but if someone is clearly displaying it to offend someone, I think we all can identify that situation rather clearly. That to me is not tolerable and should be addressed.

You know, this rather fragile subject has been argued for as long as I can remember and now it's on RP. I'm not reading all of the responses to this question, but I will tell you this...I'm not from the south, but to me, that flag as it is today represents ones heritage and freedom where so many have fought and died; not racism or hate. Yes, at one time it represented a set of ideals that made sense to those at that time which included slavery. Mistakes were certainly made. What government hasn't made mistakes? Were you there? (Every ethinicity and race on this planet have been slaves, slave owners, or killed others for their ideals at one time or another) The confederacy also meant a split from the traditional government wrong doings at that time as well. Its unfortunate we still associate the civil war and the "stars and bars" with slavery and hate...As a whole, it was not about either. Now get back to work.

Honestly sir, I think this rule is a bit ridiculous. Originally being from Iowa, I was not accustomed to seeing the Confederate flag. However, I married someone from Georgia and her family takes great pride in being from the South.

I think too many people view the flag as a sign of racism, while those proudly showing their heritage are doing it for just that reason.

We are currently undergoing a race issue... again. But the media blows it way out of proportion. To me, the Confederate flag is no different than the flags people hang from their mirromirror representing their heritage (Brazil, Mexico, Australia, etc.).

I, like you, have some strong feelings about this, but would it be infringement on his personal liberties to deny this?

As much as I try not to judge people, and I will alway continue to get to know people before I open up to them about things like that with them. Every person I've met so far who has had that flag around and proudly displayed has been really rude about me being born in a northern state(which bothers me souly because I don't control where I'm born) and they also have been pretty racist. I will happily change that opinion as soon as people prove me wrong, but what that flag represents to me is a rude racist person who refuses to accept things about people that they literally have no control over.