That hasn’t been the case in Germany, where displays of swastikas and other Nazi symbols has been made illegal and can be punishable by imprisonment.
Now, is that a compelling argument for passing similar laws regarding Confederate flags and memorabilia in the US?.. I really don’t know how I feel about that. But fear of making them more popular as a result wouldn’t be my major consideration.
IMHO, the way Americans (and those inclined to fly the CF) respond to government regulation of their rights typically looks quite different to how those in other countries respond to government regulations. See the American freak out over wearing masks, for example.
Pesky little thing called the Constitution still exists.
Thanks to the traitorous confederates surrendering!
The Constitution doesn’t protect my right to yell fire in a theatre. I think not protecting treason symbology would pass muster.
To do this without a constitutional amendment, you’d have to establish that the presence of a confederate flag is - in and of itself - a direct and likely incitement to panic or violence. I don’t think that’s possible.
Eh, I have no problem with banning it in schools, or certain other govt facilities.
If someone wants to let their traitor flag fly on their own property, or even carry it into public as part of a protest, I think they have the right to do so. It’s repugnant, but I feel the same way about Nazi memorabilia as well.
At the very least, posting a big sign that says “I am a traitor” should be fairly strong evidence in trying a case for treason.
It’s sort of absurd to think it would given the time since the Civil War and the fact that no flags have ever been banned in the US. Fire in a theater has no relevance and the case in which that cliched phrase was used has been overturned. It’s Time to Stop Using the ‘Fire in a Crowded Theater’ Quote - The Atlantic
If you believe Nazis have the right to march through a Jewish neighborhood, as I do, then I don’t see a valid justification for banning the Confederate flag. Deplorable people have the right, in the U.S., to do and say terrible things. It’s uncomfortable to see it, and to come to grips with the reality of how many of our fellow citizens are reprehensible. But I suppose we’re better off knowing.
IDK. Yes some people do horrible shit to others (Nazis,etc) and we have to allow people to be repugnant. But being a traitor and wanting to destroy the United States seems like a different category. I don’t think the founding fathers intended to protect that.
I think our modern notions of free speech probably exceed the founders’ notion. I’m okay with that. (although I do despise the confederate flag)
Yes, but do they have the right to do and say them inside a school classroom?
In which, again, the school claims the right to ban any depiction of alcoholic beverages and of even indirect references to sexual behavior; neither of which bans seem to be causing indignation on the part of those defending wearing the Confederate flag inside those classrooms.
I would ban the Confederate flag in school long before I banned a cartoon bunny logo or “exposed midriffs” (the big issue at my high school, oh so long ago).
I suppose there are several related issues. 1) can it be banned (constitutionally) and 2) if so, should it be banned? Someone up thread suggested talking to the kid, explaining the background and how the flag is viewed by other students (and society in general). Treat this as a teachable moment. On the other hand, an outright ban sends a good message too. I’m personally torn between my belief that students should have robust free speech rights in schools and my feeling that this is a dangerous and offensive symbol of hate.
Yeah, me too. And very much long before I banned any depiction of alcohol. The bunny could at least be taken arguably as demeaning women and girls. (The midriff issue seems if anything to be going in the other direction; especially if it’s specifically female midriffs that are to be concealed.)
I find it interesting that the people indignant about banning the Confederate flag don’t seem to be indignant about banning the image of a can of beer.
My school’s dress code, which was likely written no earlier than the late 70s, banned bare shoulders and midriffs for all students. The bunny thing is interesting in that I don’t know if the Playboy logo is particularly well known among young people these days. Is it? When I was in sixth grade I purchased a Jose Cuervo shirt because it had a hammerhead shark on it and I was waaaay into sharks. The school I went to in Colorado didn’t mind me wearing it but it was against the rules in Texas. At the time I didn’t know what Jose Cuervo was.
I think you could ban the Confederate flag on the basis that it sends out a message that is incompatible with the goal of the school which is to foster an environment where students treat one another with respect. It’s hard to argue veneration of a flag for a wannabe nation predicated on enslaving African Americans isn’t disrespectful. We spent an awful lot of time talking about whether or not the image is disruptive in this thread but I don’t think that’s the only standard.