# How offensive is this bumper sticker? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 4, 2006, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239 "2006-04-04T12:13:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Swan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Swan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Swan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/21 "2006-04-04T15:15:39Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > \*\*belladonna’s \*\* interpretation makes no sense at all, either. If the first sentence refers to “blacks would be freed and left to ruin everything” then why is the object a confederate flag? How on earth could that flag symbolize blacks being free? That can’t possibly be it. > > The message appears to be a regret about the existence of the Confederacy or the existence of the confederate flag as a sumbol of the South. Is the bumper sticker saying it regrets the existence of the South? If so, why does it express a desire to pick its own cotton? > > I’m with FinnAgain; it doesn’t make any sense at all. It’s about as offensive as saying “Ticket glass dog the if grab if ampersand.” Trust me, belladonna has it right. The other variation is “If I’d know they were going to be this much trouble, I’d have picked my own damn cotton.” ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/22 "2006-04-04T15:18:10Z")
Having grown up with plenty of folks that would have considered that bumper sticker the height of social wit and commentary, let me assure you that **belladonna** is dead on. that being said, I personally find it no more offensive than Jesus Fish, or “Visualize World Peace” bumper stickers… I usually find them all mildly annoying, but nothing to get incredibly upset over. Keep in mind, I’m a white guy in the middle class, so demographically it’s not aimed at me, either in insult or amusment. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/23 "2006-04-04T15:20:13Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > On the way in to work this morning, I saw a bumper sticker. On the left hand side was a confederate flag. On the top of the right it said, “If I’d known this”. On the bottom of the left hand side it said, “I would have picked my own cotton!” To me, it’s offensive, a Confederate Flag sticker alone OTOH would not be. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/24 "2006-04-04T15:25:08Z")
> [@The Swan](#): > > Trust me, belladonna has it right. The other variation is “If I’d know they were going to be this much trouble, I’d have picked my own damn cotton.” It’s certainly possible that’s what was intended, but **it still doesn’t make any sense.** The only logical interpretation is the opposite of what it allegedly is supposed to mean. If I WANTED to say “I hate Jews” but my bumper sticker says “I Love Pumpkin Pie,” that’s not offensive, that’s retarded. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/25 "2006-04-04T15:29:46Z")
Which, now that I think about, is sublimely appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Swan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Swan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Swan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/26 "2006-04-04T15:36:02Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s certainly possible that’s what was intended, but **it still doesn’t make any sense.** The only logical interpretation is the opposite of what it allegedly is supposed to mean. > > If I WANTED to say “I hate Jews” but my bumper sticker says “I Love Pumpkin Pie,” that’s not offensive, that’s retarded. I have no idea what the above means. In the South, Confederate flags are often used to express opinions that have zbsolutely nothing to do with the Civil War. They can mean “I’m a Southerner”, or “I lean waaaaaaay right”, or even “I hate black people”. I have seen this phrase expressed without the flag anywhere on the sticker. On the bumper sticker mentioned in the OP, it is nothing but an exclamation point. I think folks are reading waaay too much into the symbolism here. Ignorant jackasses are rarely cerebral about where they stick the Confederate Battle Flag. (That is not to say that only Ignorant jackasses respect said flag) ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/27 "2006-04-04T15:44:21Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > If I’d known this (blacks would be freed and left to ruin everything) > I’d have picked my own cotton (and left them in Africa where they belong) > > Not agreeing with that sentiment, of course, but coupled with the stars and bars that’s how I would have read it. [pedantry] The flag on the sticker was almost certainly the [Confederate Battle Flag](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.csagalleries.com/confederateflag.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.csagalleries.com/Flags/Confederate%2520Flag.htm&h=200&w=300&sz=50&tbnid=NPUHV1GIMTFQGM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=111&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bbattle%2Bflag%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) . The [Stars and Bars](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us-csa1v.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-csa1.html&h=210&w=340&sz=2&tbnid=zounwLzcs7plLM:&tbnh=71&tbnw=115&hl=en&start=15&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstars%2Band%2Bbars%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff) was the Confederate political flag. Not the same thing, although it’s a way too common error even among folks who should know better. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/28 "2006-04-04T15:54:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Ticket glass dog the if grab if ampersand. Hey, keep it civil or take this to the Pit, okay? ---
**Author:** ![belladonna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@belladonna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/belladonna)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/29 "2006-04-04T16:07:36Z")
> [@Gary T](#): > > [pedantry] > The flag on the sticker was almost certainly the [Confederate Battle Flag](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.csagalleries.com/confederateflag.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.csagalleries.com/Flags/Confederate%2520Flag.htm&h=200&w=300&sz=50&tbnid=NPUHV1GIMTFQGM:&tbnh=74&tbnw=111&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dconfederate%2Bbattle%2Bflag%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) . The [Stars and Bars](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/u/us-csa1v.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/us-csa1.html&h=210&w=340&sz=2&tbnid=zounwLzcs7plLM:&tbnh=71&tbnw=115&hl=en&start=15&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstars%2Band%2Bbars%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff) was the Confederate political flag. Not the same thing, although it’s a way too common error even among folks who should know better. I didn’t know that–thanks. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/30 "2006-04-04T16:17:21Z")
Wow. That sticker is just fucking rude. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/31 "2006-04-04T16:18:10Z")
Another thing is that neither of those flags was all that widely used; basically different regiments, states, etc. used different flags or variations thereof. That folks have singled out one particular flag as a “symbol of hatred” or a "symbol of pride"are just as blinkered as the folks who got that guy fired for saying “niggardly”. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/32 "2006-04-04T16:21:13Z")
Oh, and sorry about the double post - I do find the sentiment “If we’d known them n----rs would’ve been so much trouble, I’d have picked my own cotton” very offensive, just to be clear. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/33 "2006-04-04T16:24:48Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > That folks have singled out one particular flag as a “symbol of hatred” or a "symbol of pride"are just as blinkered as the folks who got that guy fired for saying “niggardly”. I don’t see the connection here. The “niggard” thing is a misunderstanding, and that flag wasn’t chosen by accident by anyone. If this bumper sticker means what it seems to mean, then it’s terrible. The meaning isn’t clearly expressed, but it would seem the message is still getting across. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/34 "2006-04-04T16:25:49Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Quick! Name a “symbol of Reconstruction”! > You can’t. > > And a US Flag would be even more confusing. > > For bumper-sticker-length items intended to evoke the Civil War, it’s hard to beat the Confederate Flag. Sadly, I’ll concede that “Scarlett O’Hara framed by a burning Atlanta” wouldn’t be easily recognizable on a bumper sticker. But it would be a better symbol for Confederate regrets. 🙂 I find the sticker originally described to be offensive in intent although semiotically garbled. Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/35 "2006-04-04T16:30:57Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > Another thing is that neither of those flags was all that widely used; basically different regiments, states, etc. used different flags or variations thereof. That folks have singled out one particular flag as a “symbol of hatred” or a "symbol of pride"are just as blinkered as the folks who got that guy fired for saying “niggardly”. Uh, no. The reason why that one particular flag is seen as a symbol of hatred is because it has been used as such by hate groups, namely the KKK. Your comparison to “niggardly” is without merit. Anyone else find the constant references to “niggardly” a bit played out? It’s like we can’t talk about anything race-related without someone whining about that word. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/36 "2006-04-04T16:34:30Z")
> [@An Arky](#): > > Another thing is that neither of those flags was all that widely used; basically different regiments, states, etc. used different flags or variations thereof. That folks have singled out one particular flag as a “symbol of hatred” or a "symbol of pride"are just as blinkered as the folks who got that guy fired for saying “niggardly”. You’re taking too long a view here. The Battle Flag might not have been “widely used” during the war…although from period illustrations and paintings, I have doubts about that statement. However, during the Civil Rights era and afterward, interest in that flag was revived, and it was _very specifically and intentionally used by many, many people to convey their racial hostility._ I’ve seen it used that way _and I’ve seen it overtly explained_ to have that meaning. As in, “You see this heah flag, _boy?_ This heah flag means we don’t like _your kind._” So I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that, whenever someone asserts that it is not a symbol of hatred, they are either disingenuous, naive, or indulging in historical wishful thinking, and not describing my reality. I say this as a white Southerner…the two sides of my family are from North Carolina and Mississippi. Sailboat ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/37 "2006-04-04T16:53:02Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > I first saw this little sentiment on a t-shirt in North Carolina. I and all those around me had\*\* Belladonnas \*\* interpretation. The wearer of the shirt was rather proud of it and also took it as a slur on blacks. He specifically wore it at my university campus to “piss off them liberals.” He stopped wearing it really quickly after some black frat boys said something to him as he was going to class. He wouldn’t tell us what they said to him. God I’d have loved to hear it. From a distance. I hope whatever the black frat boys said was extremely clever and managed to genuinely enlighten the young man. Otherwise, if what was said to him implied the threat of violence, I find that more offensive than some dumb-ass T-shirt or bumper sticker. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/38 "2006-04-04T17:27:12Z")
I tried to look up that bumper sticker online to make sure we’re all talking about the same (or comparable one), hoping I couldn’t find it. I was right. That’s at least a plus. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Swan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_Swan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Swan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/39 "2006-04-04T17:37:34Z")
> [@Least Original User Name Ever](#): > > I tried to look up that bumper sticker online to make sure we’re all talking about the same (or comparable one), hoping I couldn’t find it. I was right. > > That’s at least a plus. Are you saying you couldn’t find it online? Hate to let you down, but “picked my own damn cotton” returned a ton of results on Google. Leave the quotes in. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239/40 "2006-04-04T17:37:51Z")
From what meaning I can gather, pretty offensive. Maybe it’s a backhanded blessing the owner / maker got it so garbled… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-this-bumper-sticker/351239.md?page=3)