@Darcs

I'm only really comparing the reactions they inspire, as an effort to demonstrate what hating a symbol looks like from the other side. You don't have to agree with any part of what 'they' think, whoever 'they' happen to be -- but understand what the reaction looks like. 

Anyway my northerner understanding is that the flag isn't meant to represent oppression -- quite the opposite. They fought us because they thought WE were oppressing THEM -- their soldiers were no less brave than ours, their sacrifices on the battlefield no less complete. Sure, southern society was sick with slavery, but so was basically every other nation on the planet -- they were 'born with' slavery as a condition. I mean don't get me wrong, fuck that noise, but that doesn't make every single person from 1830 and back into a monster. Shit, I eat cows, I'm sure in 500 years someone will have choice words to say about that. 

edit: [url=http://www.nbc12.com/story/29397436/former-naacp-president-vocally-defends-confederate-flag]relevant[/url]