The Confederate Flag , What does it mean?

The Confederacy had more then just one flag, but for my purposes I am talking about the "Southern Cross" which is the most known flag. The Confederate Battle Flag was carried by troops in the field. It had 13 stars to represent the eleven states of the Confederacy plus Kentucky and Missouri. The Confederate flag has been a topic of much debate and strong feelings in the past and still is today. What it means to one person may be totally different then what it means to another. Before I get to deep into this I want to make my intentions clear! I am currently taking a class about the Civil War and the topic of the Confederate Flag and its place in the present day came up. This is a picture of the Confederate Battle Flag there is no confusion about what I am talking about:

I am from the South and I am proud of where I am from. My mom's side of the family is from the North, and I am very proud of that as well. To me this flag is an outward symbol of my southern pride and rebellion. The only flag I fly in my yard is the Clemson University flag, and that's because Clemson is the best and you just have to except it. I do think the Confederate Flag should be flown at the State House, because it is a big part of South Carolina history that many Southerners gave their lives for. If the Civil war was today and Southerns where taking up arms to bring back slavery, I would have no part in it! Slavery is and was wrong no matter the color of your skin. However, slavery was not the only reason for the Civil war just the main one. The North in retrospect was as raciest as the South in the 1850 & 1860s. Colored people where not even allowed in some Northern States. Many southerners saw the Union as a tyrant invading their homes and land. If you put yourself in this situation, I believe most people will agree with me when I say I would fight to fend off invasion of my home.



So, to me this flag means I am from the Southern part of the United States of America. "We won't be pushed around," is another way it can be interpreted. I think the flag is appealing and neat looking if nothing else. On the other hand I can understand why it is sometimes seen as a hate symbol, but I don't condone its use in such a way. Groups who use this flag as a hate symbol don't deserve to fly it or any symbol. They deserve a new flag with representing the lack of brain cells and idiocy. Please comment on what you think the Flag means and why! Any comments that are trash, purposely offensive, or just plain ignorant will not be tolerated!