Confederate flags in Memphis (2013, tornado, live)

[ktalley]

When I first moved to Memphis, Tennessee I thought I would see confederate flags everywhere. Can you say stereotype.
Well, I moved from Seattle WA. And believe me, I have seen more of those in Washington State then here. Is that weired?

[jabogitlu]

You know, I don't even see them much up here in NETN anymore. The occassional one will be flying in someone's yard (usually surrounded by old tires and broken down washing machines) or in the back of someone's pickup. But, thankfully, they seem to be going away...

[strumpeace]

Originally Posted by ktalley

When I first moved to Memphis, Tennessee I thought I would see confederate flags everywhere. Can you say stereotype.
Well, I moved from Seattle WA. And believe me, I have seen more of those in Washington State then here. Is that weired?

You typically see that kind of thing in rural areas, not cities. Memphis is a city. The handful of white folks who still live there are generally well-educated and still have most of their teeth.

[mzloolue]

Originally Posted by ktalley

When I first moved to Memphis, Tennessee I thought I would see confederate flags everywhere. Can you say stereotype.
Well, I moved from Seattle WA. And believe me, I have seen more of those in Washington State then here. Is that weired?

So, what would be interesting is to know why you had that impression of Memphis.

Had you been influenced by regional prejudice?
Perhaps the media?

You know that if there is national coverage of a tornado anywhere in the south they have to have a person with no teeth and unusual grammar to describe what happened.

[expatnortherner]

While driving to Memphis from NYC I passed through Virginia during a civil war re-enactment. I had heard about them but could not grasp the scope of the event. Even passing by on the road it was fascinating to see. Hundreds of people camped out recreating battles, horses, cannons, uniforms and all.

To that end I now can view the symbology as a source of heritage for some.

On the other hand there are those folks who still haven't realized the war is over. They are prpearing for the next offensive by stocking up on ammunition, guns, etc. To them it's not heritage, it's still going on.

Ex-Pat

[RikBrooks]

Have you ever heard of the Society for Creative Anachronism? They celebrate the middle ages in the same way, authentic costumes, armor, knights, jousting, the whole shebang. Except of course they use rattan swords instead of real ones when fighting. Nobody gets hurt very badly.

For a lot of people though the problems in the US began with the Civil War. My family calls it the War of Northern Aggression. It is undeniably when the federal government began asserting power over the state governments. It is when we lost the Republic as a form of government and a Federalism was born.

We lost the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution with that war. A lot of people are not pleased with that.

It's true that ending slavery is a good thing but the war wasn't about slavery. Note that Lincoln was a huge racist. He wanted to make interracial relationships illegal and he wanted to ship all blacks out of the country, first to Africa and when that was too expensive to Haiti.

[ktalley]

Originally Posted by mzloolue

So, what would be interesting is to know why you had that impression of Memphis.

Had you been influenced by regional prejudice?
Perhaps the media?

You know that if there is national coverage of a tornado anywhere in the south they have to have a person with no teeth and unusual grammar to describe what happened.

Yes, thats it. Like I said, stereotypes.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by ktalley

When I first moved to Memphis, Tennessee I thought I would see confederate flags everywhere. Can you say stereotype.
Well, I moved from Seattle WA. And believe me, I have seen more of those in Washington State then here. Is that weired?

Being that Memphis is 80% black (or something like that), no I don't expect you would see many confederate flags.

Their is a General Bedford Forrest (founder of the KKK) Park in Memphis however, complete with statue.

Before it gets started - I've seen no less than half a dozen discussions in the political forum on displaying the confederate flag. They never turn out good.

[ktalley]

Originally Posted by Dd714

Being that Memphis is 80% black (or something like that), no I don't expect you would see many confederate flags.

Their is a General Bedford Forrest (founder of the KKK) Park in Memphis however, complete with statue.

Before it gets started - I've seen no less than half a dozen discussions in the political forum on displaying the confederate flag. They never turn out good.

Well thats ok with me because I really like city-data were everybody can voice their opinions even if it offends people. I never take peoples criticism that serious and I rarely get offended but even so I still think it is ok. I would love to hear peoples true feelings about different issues. That also helps me understand people better.

[ktalley]

I looked up this Bedford Forest person,
Was his KKK the same racist KKK we have today or was it different?