Help. I need to refute "why we left the confederacy"

To me, it does not matter what it meant in our history, or how cherished it is by some. What matters to me is that it is a symbol of pain and suffering and causes pain to a major portion of our population. If I had to cherish the confederate flag, I would do so in the privacy of my home where it would not cause pain to others. So, I don't waste my time refuting history or fact, but stick to the present/modern day situation.

It was about states's rights to preserve slavery. The south was built on indigo, then cotton. Even after the invention of the cotton gin, they needed free labor to be profitable.

The confederate flag is about oppression, no matter how you look at it, from which side, it represents a time of oppression, power, conflict, seperation and loss. It isn't a positive symbol.

The civil war came to a head at that time because the wealthy and powerful from the north couldn't compete with slave labor, didn't appreciate the economic gains and advantages they 'felt' the south had. So they utilized the emancipation movement to force their requirements upon the south, to even the economic playing feild. It was objected to by the south as a form of oppression by the north/union. The south objected, seceding from the union so they could continue to oppress slaves.

It represents loss, the loss of unity, the loss of lives, families, livelihoods, trust, etc. Everyone lost due to the civil war, and some of those wounds still fester.

Power, it represents power, the power of the wealthy businessmen of the north to force a nation to their will. The power to retain slave labor. Simply because the resulting freeing of the slaves is a good thing, the right thing, the method of how we got there wasn't 'right' or good. The corruption involved is astounding. It isn't a proud moment for either side.

The rebirth of the popularity of the confederate flag during the civil rights movement was also all about power, oppression, loss and conflict. About oppressing people, holding them back, dividing and separating people from people.

It doesn't represent positive elements of the south or southern society in either of it's time periods. It doesn't represent culture, elegance, tradition, refinement, hospitality or any other proud, positive piece if southern heritage.

I've heard the 'represents southern heritage' line all my life and I've never really thought about it, never really looked at it. Not being from the south and encountering this symbol rarely I accepted the line at face value without any contemplation at all. I often object to the simplification and romanticizing of the civil war, the whitewashing of the methods and motives of the north, the civil war was an awful, horrific time period all the way around, no one was completely 'right' and everyone lost. Id really like to hear WHY it represents positive southern heritage from people. I'm kind of tired of hearing 'it just does ' that doesn't cut it anymore for me.

I can't think of an analogy, but there was an excellent in-depth article in Time a few years ago (cover article) on how some were trying to change history by insisting that the Civil War was about states' rights. It was a great read. Maybe there would be something helpful in that article.

@hop 2:  I'm one of those southerners who have always felt the Confederate Flag represented my heritage.  I've never been able to explain why.  I love what you wrote.  And I completely agree with you about what the CF represents.  Thank you.

Cindy

Yes, I read an article somewhere that quoted the states' secession "statements" or whatever they were called. That was powerful proof to me and the person I shared it with claiming "states rights" was the reason for the civil war.