My response to the posting on Confederate Calvin,
First, many in the KKK do not fly the Confederate Battle Flag. In fact only a
small number actually use the flag. However, I am told that KKK bylaws
require the US and the Christian flag be present at every event. Most people
are not aware that the largest KKK membership is in the North and it has been
that way since the early 1900s. Mr. Boyd Lewis, a Klan expert who spoke at
the DeKalb College in Atlanta, states that at the height of Klan power,
"Indiana had the largest Klan population with over 2 million members between
1915-1916." Most KKK groups prefer to use a US or a Christian flag, yet oddly
enough, no one is calling these flags symbols of racism.
Americans have been programmed, by the liberal media, into believing that the
KKK is only a "Southern thing" and that only Southern symbols must pay for the
Klan's transgressions. A freelance photographer and friend once related with
frustration at how the newspapers never buy or use his photographs if they
show the Klan carrying a US flag. "They only want to use the photographs that
show a Confederate flag." Based on the magnitude of media bias that would
have us believe the Confederate flag and the KKK go hand in hand, although
incorrect, it is understandable why people have the perception they do.
However those perceptions are based on false information, and it is the
perception that must be changed, not the symbol that has been victimized by
the perception. At one time, man had the perception that the Earth was flat.
This was because his eyes were giving his brain false information, which was
also fed by the many stories told and retold by sailors at sea. However, once
we acquired accurate geographical information, we were forced to change our
perception and accept the fact that the Earth was not flat, but round. We
must likewise change our false perceptions of Confederate symbols as being
symbols of the Klan and other racist organizations. When in truth they are
not.
Over one million Southerners, our ancestors, fought for four years under the
flags of the Confederacy. These men fought, and many died, for the
fundamental principles of Constitutional government given to us by the
Founding Fathers. Although defeated by overwhelming manpower and resources,
they have left us a great legacy of bravery, sacrifice and devotion to duty,
home and family.
The fiery cross is the sign of the Klan, not the Confederate Battle flag or
Naval Ensign, although they parade it and the US flag.
To say that a mere symbol can generate hate represents a primitive,
superstitious cognitive process. Poor race relations are increased by the
Nazi mentality of those minority groups who make vicious attacks on the
heritage of their "perceived opposition." In essence, they neglect to respect
their "opposition."
The Confederate battle flag was designed by General P. G. T. Beauregard
following the first battle of Bull Run simply to make it easier for
Confederate officers watching the battle to determine their troops positions.
He kept the original colors from Old Glory-red, white and blue. And designed
the broad of the flag in red for easy vision. What appears to be an X in the
middle is actually the St. Andrews cross.
Andrew was one of the first disciples of Jesus Christ and a brother of Simon
and Peter. At his own crucifixion, Andrew did not deem himself worthy of the
same death suffered by his Savior, dying on a T shaped cross. The Romans
granted his wish and simply crossed the wooden timbers in the middle, forming
an X. There he hung for two days, preaching the gospel before his death.
General Beauregard placed a star in the cross for each state of the newly
formed Confederacy.
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