I read your posting history and thought I’d give benefit of the doubt- I assumed twelve year old (it’s you’re welcome, not your welcome, in a previous thread) or moron, I see now perhaps both?
There was an old thread where we discussed the idea that the concepts of “the south” and “southern pride” make no sense except in the context of the confederacy and the civil war.
It might be difficult to find that thread now but basically it was pointed out that the phrase “the south” doesn’t really define a geographic region - for example southern California is not considered part it - and that there is no pan-southern culture - for example New Orleans’ cuisine and music is different from Orlando’s.
The only thing that the states in the region called “the south” have in common is a 19th century rebellion.
You are wrong there my friend.
They also have crappy music in common.
I am not sure I agree, I can think of many things Southerners of all colors can rally around that Northerners generally don’t- blues music, raucous church services, cornbread, chitterlings, RC and moonpies, slow pace, farms vs. condos, rural vs. urban, friendliness, fireworks, creek swimming, etc.?
But none of the things you cite are Southern specifically. They’re rural, and you’ll find the same “values” and pride in the Midwest, albeit with 250% more Ranch and about 1280% more Jeet?, statistically.
As well there are things that are clearly exclusive to the South than are definitely not part of “Southern pride” for Reasons. The Confederate flag does not stand for a Cajun fais-dodo. It does not stand for Nawleens second lines. It does not stand for Billie Holiday’s lovingly broken voice. It does not stand for Houston’s viet-cajun joints. It does not stand for Tex-Mex. Can you guess why that all is ? Or find some sort of curious, no doubt coincidental link between the things and people it *does *stand for ?
The Confederate flag is a racist symbol, anyone who flies it is inconsiderate at best, racist at worst.
Absolutely nothing I have said in any post in this thread says or implies otherwise.
All my posts centered around the feasibility of creating a symbol that stands, in 2019, for appreciation for the slow southern way of life vs. the stereotypical hectic nature of big city life, one that all races could get behind- ‘don’t hate each other, hate the Yankees’.
I am on your side here.
Fair enough, but substitute “southern pride” or “southern values” for “the Confederate flag” in my post, and the point still stands. There’s hardly *a *southern way, and THE southern way people talk about is that of rural white guys, be they po’folk or plantation types. I’ll harp again on the Nawleens example : as “big cities” go, it’s hardly ever been known as a busy or hectic place. Yet people from there wouldn’t say they’re Southern folk (although they’ll beat the black/white off yo ass should you dare suggest they might not be creole) and self-described Proud Southerners would bristle at the notion of being lumped together with Nawleens.
<nitpick>
Nawluns.
</nitpick>
What’s the matter, Jefferson Davis Airplane was unavailable?
I explained to someone once that the Confederate flag is history, like The Cosby Show. Once revered and now something we don’t talk about. 
I guess the question is whether there is a “southern culture” that transcends racial lines? I have spent time in the south (mostly North Carolina, where my ex-wife and daughter live) but my experiences aren’t extensive enough to be sure.
If there can’t be one southern culture, but multiple (generally along white/black lines) then I suspect that schism comes from lingering racism and the scars of past open segregation and oppression. In which case the idea of southern culture being racist seems valid.
ISTM NASCAR comes closest.
Misogynistic, can’t argue that the blues CAN BE misogynistic.
But racist? Please expound on this.
(Or be called terrible names, this is The Pit.)
A flag showing a plate of fried chicken and biscuits. I would be quite proud to wave that flag.
I’d be tempted to eat that flag.
Naw, man. It’s gotta have grits.
And mugginess.
The grits can be in a bowl on the side, with lots of pepper and a big pat of butter. By having both biscuits and grits on the flag, we can pay homage to the coming-together of English and Native American cultural traditions. And the fried chicken pays tribute to the Scottish and African traditions that honed the cuisine into the wonderful delight that it is.
And we should also have a pitcher of tea glimmering with sugar crystals. It shall symbolize the sweetness of southern hospitality.
I mean, their name is Confederate Railroad. What the hell could they be supporting if not the Confederacy? They can’t argue it means “southern pride” when the real meaning is in their flipping name.
That said, Shenandoah does have a decent argument here, IMO: if they didn’t support the symbol, why the fuck did they hire them in the first place? Even if they could convince them not to use the logo, it’s in their fucking name.
Sure, decrying “political correctness” over it is still stupid. But whoever hired the band in the first place has some explaining to do, IMO.
Thing is, the confederate battle flag displayed by the current generation of ignorant bigoted pieces of crap wasn’t ever even an official symbol of the confederacy. It was used by the army of northern Virginia, and some other units, and after Appomattox was gone, destined to be forgotten, once the treason committed in order to spread the crime of slavery throughout the hemisphere failed, miserably and dishonorably, as it deserved. It came back at the same time as municipal sculptures honoring treason and bigotry began to spring up all over the south, as a silent warning to black Americans not to try to exercise the 13th and 14th amendment rights that had just begun to be enforced by the federal government through the civil rights act, the voting rights act, various Supreme Court decisions, and other measures. There is no sentient person who displays this thing without endorsing both its original and secondary meanings.
Part of remembering your history is having enough moral sense to recognize which parts to celebrate, and which parts to be ashamed of.