Would you play a gig with a Confederate Flag?

[dmac1961]

You have "never considered the flag as a symbol of racism or slavery." Nice! Hey, if I were born in the South I might feel that way too. It is a hell of a lot easier than having to admit that the region you live in once attempted to leave the United States because it wanted to maintain the institution of slavery. Hey, did you see the film that won Best Picture at the Oscars the other night? No? Well, of course not.

Frankly, I don't feel the need to "admit" anything that the forebearers of this part of the country did. My mother is full English, but I don't take any offense at the Union Jack, despite the US revolting from British rule. As far as your Oscars comment, GFY.

 

[gard0300]

Yes I would consider it. And no I'm not racist.

 

[Kmonk]

Wouldn't bother me. I'm not a racist either. To me, it represents the South not racism. Not everyone in the south was a racist or owned slaves. Every flag represents something that some people disagree with.

 

[Mystic Michael]

To me, what's more important is their behavior than their symbols. I would hold a place loaded with Confederate flags that is still welcoming to people of color with higher regard than a place that has PC imagery that discriminates against others.

But how many people of color would actually be comfortable in a place that's loaded with Confederate flags? And in real life, how likely is it that a place that's loaded with Confederate flags would actually be hospitable to people of color?

MM

 

[JimiLL]

Ah how I love Florida

People may choose to associate the rebel flag with the south, but it is literally the symbol of the confederate states which tried to leave the union over slavery. So, yes, it is about racism.

I'm a German American. How about I drape a Nazi flag over my rig, not because I'm a bigot, you know, but because I'm proud of my ancestry?

The reason why the confederate flag doesn't stand for racism to some, is because none considers themselves a "racist"

 

[Laidback]

But how many people of color would actually be comfortable in a place that's loaded with Confederate flags? And in real life, how likely is it that a place that's loaded with Confederate flags would actually be hospitable to people of color?

MM

He said there was one goddammed flag in the place. Who the **** said anything about loaded with confederate flags?

 

[dmac1961]

But how many people of color would actually be comfortable in a place that's loaded with Confederate flags? And in real life, how likely is it that a place that's loaded with Confederate flags would actually be hospitable to people of color?

MM

If you ever make it down south, I will be happy to show you many places like that. Stereotypes aren't always true!

 

[guy n. cognito]

You have "never considered the flag as a symbol of racism or slavery." Nice! Hey, if I were born in the South I might feel that way too. It is a hell of a lot easier than having to admit that the region you live in once attempted to leave the United States because it wanted to maintain the institution of slavery. Hey, did you see the film that won Best Picture at the Oscars the other night? No? Well, of course not.

Wow. Look at all this anger and bigotry pointed at southerners.

 

[Laidback]

Wow. Look at all this anger and bigotry pointed at southerners.

Yeah and all that anger and bigotry is coming from left wing liberals. Figures, they are the least tolerant group of people.

 

[Itzayana]

Absolutely not. Wouldn't play a gig with a Nazi flag either as they are pretty much the same thing.

 

[bkbirge]

He said there was one goddammed flag in the place. Who the **** said anything about loaded with confederate flags?

Probably worth reminding you guys as this thread spirals out of control that the bar owner told the band he would not allow the flag to be covered.

 

[shwashwa]

But how many people of color would actually be comfortable in a place that's loaded with Confederate flags? And in real life, how likely is it that a place that's loaded with Confederate flags would actually be hospitable to people of color?

MM

looks like this guy is generalizing and stereotyping while criticizing people for generalizing and stereotyping. guess its ok only when directed at certain groups.

 

[Laidback]

Probably worth reminding you guys as this thread spirals out of control that the bar owner told the band he would not allow the flag to be covered.

The bar owner stands his ground. Right On.

 

[matthewbrown]

This thread has everything needed to explode into a burning ball of flames at any given moment.... just saying.

Amen to that.

 

[GlennW]

Columbo impersonation...

Just one more thing, those guys who call the Civil War the 2nd American Revolution...what's their bag?

 

[Itzayana]

Wow. Look at all this anger and bigotry pointed at southerners.

I think that you are mistaken here. The confederate flag does not represent most southerners. In fact, I believe that most southerners are disturbed by racism, human trafficking (slavery), and abuse of life. It is a very small percentage of people who are attached to racial superiority. They are typically the weakest and least gifted who are trying to compensate for their inferiority by using force and brutality to promote their pitiful agenda.
A sorry lot indeed.

 

[Laidback]

Kanye West has "reclaimed" the symbol of late, as he put it.

So obviously, the symbol is STILL used as a provocation in many quarters.

And Kanye looks like an ******* . . . as usual

 

[Jim Campbell]

if the op would object to playing in front of a big ol' backdrop picture of George Washington.....i think he may have presided over a nation that mostly viewed the practice as legitimate at the time.....coming from here and a biker kind of crowd nearly everyone i knew had a stars and bars hanging somewhere in their houses....trying to label everyone who has one as a bigot is simply wrongheaded,and a lazy form of pc.....

 

[matthewbrown]

I think the basic problem is that the symbol itself is interpreted in different ways by different people. I side with the oppressed myself, so I interpret the Confederate battle flag as a symbol of the battle to maintain slavery. So I wouldn't play next to it. But then I've seen people show up on my gigs in blackface, which I consider equally offensive and for the same reasons.

 

[bkbirge]

The bar owner stands his ground. Right On.

Well it is FL, lol.

I was responding to your assertion that the owner and the staff are so used to it that they don't even see it anymore. Seems like the owner definitely sees it and has some identity issues tied up with it's display if it bothers him that the band might cover it with their own banner.