# Ebay is banning listings of confederate flags and related items. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 23, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258 "2015-06-23T16:50:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/281 "2015-06-29T12:58:37Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Looks like another example of the flag being used as a marker for Southern identity. I know some of you are boggled by the idea that the flag ever means anything other than “Racism!” but here it is again. > > Try for a moment to understand a perspective other than your own. > > Also, this once again puts the lie to the argument I have seen some make here that the flag was in mothballs until _Brown v. Board of Education_. It was always around. The flag was added to the photo. Those designs look like large X’s to me. Since the middle of the last century, the Battle Flag has been used by Segregationists & Racists. I’m sure some of those who have flown it are just unaware–there are lots of unaware folks out there. But nobody is telling them they can’t fly the traitorous rag on their own property. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/282 "2015-06-29T13:19:34Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > The flag was added to the photo. Those designs look like large X’s to me. The story explains exactly why they are there. I’m just saying let’s not stick our fingers in our ears and yell “RACIST FLAG! RACIST FLAG! RACIST FLAG!” Of course racists have used it. But it has also been used innocently as a marker for Southern identity, or for fans of Southern rock, or as a generic symbol of rebellion. I agree that the flag should be removed from display in both public spaces and by right-thinking private citizens. But let’s not re-write history to villainize [everyone who has ever displayed it](http://thesmartset.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ID_CHERNOF_CONFED_BF_001.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/283 "2015-06-29T15:04:15Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > But it has also been used innocently as a marker for Southern identity, or for fans of Southern rock, or as a generic symbol of rebellion. You say “innocently”, we say “ignorantly”. The question becomes : is it somehow morally incumbent on people to find out the implications of the symbols they use. I’d say yes, it is, it mos’ def is. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/284 "2015-06-29T15:05:32Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Try for a moment to understand a perspective other than your own. Where does this idea come from that if I reject your argument, I never tried to understand it? What do I have to do to display that I tried to understand it? Do I have to agree with you in order to display that? I do you the courtesy of assuming that you’ve considered my side and simply reject it. You might extend the same courtesy to others. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/285 "2015-06-29T15:37:15Z")
> [@andros](#): > > I agree. We should stop showing reruns of DoH because it sucks. Ermm. Daisy duke? ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/286 "2015-06-29T15:44:59Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > The story explains exactly why they are there. > > I’m just saying let’s not stick our fingers in our ears and yell “RACIST FLAG! RACIST FLAG! RACIST FLAG!” Of course racists have used it. But it has also been used innocently as a marker for Southern identity, or for fans of Southern rock, or as a generic symbol of rebellion. > > I agree that the flag should be removed from display in both public spaces and by right-thinking private citizens. But let’s not re-write history to villainize [everyone who has ever displayed it](http://thesmartset.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ID_CHERNOF_CONFED_BF_001.jpg). So do you claim that Julianne Hough’s blackface costume wasn’t racist because of her ignorance? ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/287 "2015-06-29T16:29:05Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You say “innocently”, we say “ignorantly”. The question becomes : is it somehow morally incumbent on people to find out the implications of the symbols they use. I’d say yes, it is, it mos’ def is. I suppose I would describe our difference as the difference between giving someone the benefit of the doubt and assuming the worst in someone. I look at that subway platform, and what I see is a nice gesture to noted citizen of New York who’s from the South. You see it, and see (I’m guessing) “Racists! KKK!” or maybe “Ignorant fools!” ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/288 "2015-06-29T16:36:28Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > The story explains exactly why they are there. As I pointed out, the story is crap reporting and they could easily just be x’s. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/289 "2015-06-29T16:48:30Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > As I pointed out, the story is crap reporting and they could easily just be x’s. So you assume the historian cited in the article doesn’t know what he’s talking about? Why would you make that assumption? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/290 "2015-06-29T17:13:54Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > So you assume the historian cited in the article doesn’t know what he’s talking about? Why would you make that assumption? [The historian himself acknowledges it’s just speculation.](http://www.historynet.com/confederate-flags-in-times-square.htm) He also uses a nickname for Times Square, “The Crossroads of the World,” without apparently noticing that could also be the symbolism of the motif. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/291 "2015-06-29T18:46:31Z")
We’d better not take any chances. Even if the Confederate emblem was put in the New York subway by ignorant fools who should have known what it _really_ meant, we’d better hold a protest and demand its removal right now, because it’s actually a HATEFUL RACIST EMBLEM! I think now we finally know why New York cops would choke a black man to death for selling cigarettes. It’s the mosaic’s fault! /parody ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/292 "2015-06-29T19:23:19Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > We’d better not take any chances. Even if the Confederate emblem was put in the New York subway by ignorant fools who should have known what it _really_ meant, we’d better hold a protest and demand its removal right now, because it’s actually a HATEFUL RACIST EMBLEM! > > I think now we finally know why New York cops would choke a black man to death for selling cigarettes. It’s the mosaic’s fault! > > /parody Gosh. Your attempts to understand other perspectives sure adds to your thoughtfulness in posting. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/293 "2015-06-29T19:24:08Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > So you assume the historian cited in the article doesn’t know what he’s talking about? Why would you make that assumption? As I said, the article contradicted that with an MTA spokesman saying there’s similar patterns in different colours in other stations. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/294 "2015-06-29T19:26:21Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I agree that the flag should be removed from display in both public spaces and by right-thinking private citizens. But let’s not re-write history to villainize [everyone who has ever displayed it](http://thesmartset.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ID_CHERNOF_CONFED_BF_001.jpg). So are eBay right-thinking private citizens, or jackbooted thugs? Because this is a rather different attitude than you began the thread with. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/295 "2015-06-29T19:33:32Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > As I said, the article contradicted that with an MTA spokesman saying there’s similar patterns in different colours in other stations. Pictures? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/296 "2015-06-29T19:38:29Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Pictures? You trusted the _ **NY Pos** _t taking a hobbyist historian’s pet theory, and _now_ you play the skeptic. You’re fooling us all - nobody has noticed you switched positions or thresholds or nothin’! ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/297 "2015-06-29T19:41:18Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > So are eBay right-thinking private citizens, or jackbooted thugs? Because this is a rather different attitude than you began the thread with. Not going to go round and round on this. eBay is a host site for third party sellers. Between eBay and Amazon, there’s a virtual monopoly of such business in the US. For the two of them to foreclose third-party sellers is not just eBay saying “We’re not going to sell items bearing Confederate flags.” It’s them saying “We’re not going to let YOU sell items with Confederate flags.” Strong-armed and wrong-headed, as I have explained repeatedly. Wal-Mart’s position is a little more supportable, since they are just deciding what they will sell in their own store rather than trying to control others. On the other hand, it is leading to some funny outcomes: [Wal-Mart refuses to make “Heritage Not Hate” Confederate flag cake, happily makes ISIS flag cake](http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/walmart-apologizes-making-isis-cake-man-denied-confederate-flag-design-18309.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/298 "2015-06-29T19:44:03Z")
> [@bup](#): > > You trusted the _ **NY Pos** _t taking a hobbyist historian’s pet theory, and _now_ you play the skeptic. > > You’re fooling us all - nobody has noticed you switched positions or thresholds or nothin’! That “hobbyist” has presented his case in full, convincing detail. Where is even a photograph of these other similar crosses? That should be really easy to prove. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/299 "2015-06-29T19:44:59Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > Strong-armed and wrong-headed, as I have explained repeatedly. Obviously, you’ve made no attempt at all to understand a perspective other than your own. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2015, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/300 "2015-06-29T19:52:29Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Gosh. Your attempts to understand other perspectives sure adds to your thoughtfulness in posting. So if I parody something, it means I don’t understand it? I fully understand and appreciate why an individual might despise a Confederate flag. I just think the current jihad against the flag is overblown, counterproductive, and now with the Walmart cake incident, silly. The flag is not the repository of our sins. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258.md?page=16)