I can certainly understand how some in our country can view a flag as the physical symbol of oppression, terrorism, and unfair practices in society. I have the same feeling when I look at "The Hammer and Sickle". If I had been black in the rural South and seen a lot of people waving a certain flag and spewing a lot of visceral hatred . I too would be reluctant to look at that symbol in a positive way.

On the other hand, I know that This country (The United States) was born in REBELLION. They had many flags that expressed this rebellious attitude. This idea of risking almost everything to show others that WE will not take it, is part of OUR heritage. To me "The Battle Flag of The Army of Northern Virginia" represents that same idea on a regional basis. The flag itself was not designed or intended to represent SLAVERY. It became that symbol after the fact.

Yes, the CIVIL WAR was over the issue of Slavery. Every aspect of the conflict had an underlying root and that was whether or not the country could continue to balance political power between states that allowed slavery and those that did not. More than 70% of Southern whites did not own slaves, yet they chose to fight because they didn't want to be told they had no say in the process of government.

I do not think any REASONABLE person alive today could possibly justify slavery or ignore the misery it brought to those that were subject to it. Given that my ancestry is of Northern European, there is an almost certain probability that some of my ancestors were forced into slavery. They were made slaves by the Romans, Franks, Germans or any other group that fought and conquered another group of people.

Please, just allow me to use the symbol that I choose to show others that, if your going to attempt to force your will on me I will not sit passively bye and watch.