# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![BrightNShiny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@BrightNShiny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightNShiny)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/41 "2015-06-24T10:44:56Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > A private corporation should not be forced to _buy_ things they don’t want to sell. A corporation with monopolistic power whose business does not involve buying or producing things (like both eBay and Paypal) should not be using that monopolistic power with the explicit purpose of suppressing constitutionally protected rights. Banks should not be used to drive pornographers and gun stores out of business, Paypal should not be used to drive Wikileaks out of business and eBay should not be used to drive people who sell Confederate flags out of business. I would buy this argument for an ISP, since the big ones do exhibit monopoly or oligopoly power in many parts of the country. But there are plenty of places to buy and sell stuff other than eBay and there are plenty of ways to pay for stuff over the internet other than Paypal. eBay and Paypal aren’t close to being monopolies. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/42 "2015-06-24T13:11:26Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Just don’t stop showing reruns of Dukes of Hazzard because of the confederate flag on the General Lee. [Too late](https://www.yahoo.com/autos/general-lee-from-dukes-of-hazzard-losing-its-122294326432.html) Well, not really, they’re still showing the reruns but they’re stopping the sale of items with the flag, such as miniature General Lee cars. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/43 "2015-06-24T13:23:48Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > The debate is it’s just a flag, stars and bars, a historical artifact. No doubt more people were killed by the USSR than confederates, and yet the USSR flag still remains. Do an [eBay search for Nazi flag](http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC2.A0.H0.Xnazi+flag.TRS1&_nkw=nazi+flag&_sacat=0) and you might be surprised (at least here in the US, I’m sure it doesn’t appear in searches from Germany, France, and various other countries.) > > Will they also ban [album covers?](http://www.ebay.com/itm/HANK-III-HANK-3-HANK-WILLIAMS-III-Rebel-Within-LP-NEW-SEALED-/161651414707)[Toy cars?](http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ERTL-1-64-Dukes-of-Hazzard-GENERAL-LEE-COP-CAR-/260809227029) > > This just seems like a knee-jerk reaction more than a reasoned policy. eBay can do what it wants though, they have been spiraling down the drain for some years now. Exactly. Some nutcase has his picture taken with the Confederate flag then goes on a murdering rampage, so “obviously” it was that flag’s fault. And while we’re at it, we better go tear down that Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery because if the flag is evil, that memorial must be terrible. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/44 "2015-06-24T13:24:33Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > How do you feel about a baker’s right to refuse to make a cake displaying the confederate flag or otherwise celebrating the Confederacy? I, for one, am in favor of making “racist asshole” a protected class, like sex, religion, and sexual orientation. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/45 "2015-06-24T13:53:28Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > A private corporation should not be forced to _buy_ things they don’t want to sell. A corporation with monopolistic power whose business does not involve buying or producing things (like both eBay and Paypal) should not be using that monopolistic power with the explicit purpose of suppressing constitutionally protected rights. Banks should not be used to drive pornographers and gun stores out of business, Paypal should not be used to drive Wikileaks out of business and eBay should not be used to drive people who sell Confederate flags out of business. This is the most preposterous argument I’ve read in at least an hour. eBay is not a monopoly, isn’t even close to being a monopoly, and isn’t ever going to be a monopoly. eBay isn’t within shouting distance of being a monopoly. Nobody is stopping anyone from possessing, displaying or flying Confederate flags. eBay is perfectly within their rights to refuse to sell whatever the hell they want. You do not have a right to buy anything. Nothing in the Constitution of the United States of America says “Congress shall pass no law prohibiting the purchase of anything.” If eBay won’t sell you a racist flag, sew one yourself. ---
**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 24, 2015, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/46 "2015-06-24T13:54:26Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Exactly. Some nutcase has his picture taken with the Confederate flag then goes on a murdering rampage, so “obviously” it was that flag’s fault. Nobody is blaming the flag for the murders. The murders have just helped a number of people figure out the obvious: that the Confederate flag is a symbol of bad things and we should stop celebrating it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/47 "2015-06-24T14:08:12Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Can you take the racist out of the good ol’ boys? Doubtful, but perhaps over time fewer of the future generations will be as attracted to racism if social persuasion is consistently put upon them. Can you take out “the hood mentallity” from people in the hood? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/48 "2015-06-24T14:11:44Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Exactly. Some nutcase has his picture taken with the Confederate flag then goes on a murdering rampage, so “obviously” it was that flag’s fault. On the contrary. It’s a complete goddamned coincidence that in a state so racist that a Confederate flag flies on state property all year round, a psycho with delusions of grandeur and stunted humanity would latch onto racism and go kill a bunch of black people. No linkage! No linkage! ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/49 "2015-06-24T15:23:06Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > A private corporation should not be forced to _buy_ things they don’t want to sell. A corporation with monopolistic power whose business does not involve buying or producing things (like both eBay and Paypal) should not be using that monopolistic power with the explicit purpose of suppressing constitutionally protected rights. Banks should not be used to drive pornographers and gun stores out of business, Paypal should not be used to drive Wikileaks out of business and eBay should not be used to drive people who sell Confederate flags out of business. As BrightNShiny said, there are plenty of other places to sell the slavery flag. ebay is one marketplace, but its the internet, they don’t control access to it. Any business can put up their own website and sell their own items, they don’t need ebay for that. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/50 "2015-06-24T16:09:42Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > On the contrary. It’s a complete goddamned coincidence that in a state so racist that a Confederate flag flies on state property all year round, a psycho with delusions of grandeur and stunted humanity would latch onto racism and go kill a bunch of black people. No linkage! No linkage! And rap music causes murder. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/51 "2015-06-24T17:00:31Z")
eBay has restricted racially and ethnically offensive items for years. There seems now to be a growing consensus in this country that the confederate battle flag is racially offensive so, given this change in public perception, this is in keeping with a policy that few, if any, questioned before. > **[Offensive materials policy](https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/offensive-material-policy?id=4324)** > > Listings or content that promote or glorify hatred, violence, or discrimination aren't allowed. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2015, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/52 "2015-06-24T20:24:53Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > And rap music causes murder. You’re saying that as a joke but I would bet more black people have been killed by rap music listeners than Confederate flag owners. ---
**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 24, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/53 "2015-06-24T20:30:23Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > You’re saying that as a joke but I would bet more black people have been killed by rap music listeners than Confederate flag owners. In the last 200 years? ---
**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 24, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/54 "2015-06-24T20:38:09Z")
And is that per capita? ---
**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 24, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/55 "2015-06-24T20:58:44Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > In the last 200 years? We’re not allowed to look at the origins of the flag. That’s cheating. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/56 "2015-06-25T16:32:13Z")
I live in the south where I see the “It’s not racist, it’s just historical” argument all the time. I think it’s dubious (the confederates never used the flag) but whatever, I’m cool with that. However, for right or wrong, the flag has become a symbol of racists and is seen as racist by many people. That means that anyone flying the flag is either a racist or doesn’t mind being confused for one. 99% of the time it’s a racist trying to claim that it’s just historical. It’s almost never a history buff lamenting what the flag has become. The swastika was a symbol of good luck for eons and the original salute to the American flag is the same as the Nazi salute, so anyone is more than welcome to go around with a swastika and throwing a Nazi salute and say it’s because they wish America good luck, but I’m not listening if they get the least bit upset when everyone thinks they’re a Nazi. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/57 "2015-06-25T16:55:16Z")
Will CF bikinis be banned?☹ ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/58 "2015-06-25T17:02:49Z")
I am in favor of removing the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds and from courthouses and other public spaces (except maybe military parks where it might be appropriate). I think those public spaces belong to all, and I think one segment of the population ought not be made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome there, particularly when their tax dollars are helping to finance the place. On the other hand, I do not agree with the move by Wal-Mart, eBay, and Amazon to ban sales of items adorned with the flag. I am opposed to censorship, whether it comes from governments or from corporations. If you think people should not fly the flag, then the weapon to use is moral suasion, not bans. Strong-armed suppression of this sort will only lead to backlash, I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/59 "2015-06-25T17:11:54Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I am in favor of removing the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds and from courthouses and other public spaces (except maybe military parks where it might be appropriate). I think those public spaces belong to all, and I think one segment of the population ought not be made to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome there, particularly when their tax dollars are helping to finance the place. > > On the other hand, I do not agree with the move by Wal-Mart, eBay, and Amazon to ban sales of items adorned with the flag. I am opposed to censorship, whether it comes from governments or from corporations. If you think people should not fly the flag, then the weapon to use is moral suasion, not bans. Strong-armed suppression of this sort will only lead to backlash, I suspect. I’m pretty sure they don’t sell swastika flags or SS memorabilia either… are you saying they should be required to? A store like Wal-Mart (large as they are) obviously has limited shelf-space… you’re not seriously arguing that they must stock every kind of flag, right? Online retailers don’t necessarily have limited space, but why must they be required to sell confederate flags (or any other symbol)? Must they sell racist screeds like the Turner Diaries? Must they sell bomb-making books? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258/60 "2015-06-25T17:15:01Z")
Germany has a huge number of people that like US Civil War re-enactments. Consequently, German manufacturers turn out lots of Confederate reproductions-should these be banned as well? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-is-banning-listings-of-confederate-flags-and-related-items/723258.md?page=4)