More of this ridiculous buried racism. Black people are the South, just as much as white people are. “The South” isn’t going to vote on a symbol. There’s no majority rules thing going on. Barbecue, like jazz and blues, might have originated among southern African Americans, and that means they originated among Southerners. Knock it off with acting like there’s Southerners and then black Southerners. White isn’t the default.
There are different geographical features to admire in different parts of the South. There are different food traditions to admire on different parts of the south. There are different artists and works to admire that have some connection to different parts of the south.
But none of these things are intrinsically “Southern” in their scope. Faulkner’s works come from his experiences in Northern Mississippi. They have nothing to do with Key West of New Orleans or San Antonio.
The only thing that ties together this region as “southern” is its history of slavery, the armed revolt in support of slavery, and the subsequent race-based legal and social structures enforced.
So the only thing that a symbol of the South as a whole can really represent is slavery, racism, discrimination, treason, and violence.
It doesn’t really mean much as a flag if nobody gives a shit about it. Seriously, what the hell is the New England flag? Can anyone say without clicking the link? No? All right then.
Anyway, that Southerners seem to be so proud of their history baffles me. For some odd reason, there’s only one group in particular that seems to be proud of it. Odd.
The Mason-Dixon line had nothing to do with slavery. It was established in 1767, before the United States (let alone the Confederacy) existed, to settle a border dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania.
I wonder why the 34 or 35 star American flag, as carried by the Union army, representing all the states in one whole country, has not become an answer to the Conf. flag?
A young Vivian Leigh wearing Daisy Dukes. Combining popular modern ideas about the antebellum South with good ol’ boy rebel attitudes.
Yes, that’s true, but in 1804 the last state north of it abolished slavery, so it served as a demarcation line of sorts from that point on.
What should I be checking for and why are you assuming I’m white?
Delaware is on the “north” side of the line.
East of it, really. The line started at the western border of Delaware.
Even projecting the line, most of Delaware (slave state) is south of it, and most of New Jersey (free state) is north.
What can replace the Confederate Flag as a symbol of Southern Pride?
How about the current flag of the United States of America–the one with 50 stars, and not only 39?
As an entity, what do the states comprising The South have to proud of? The only thing they have in common that makes them unique to themselves is a treasonous event centered around the desire to enslave human beings. Individually, the states all have their charms (except Mississippi) worthy of celebration.
Only because it takes that jog south.
I lived in Delaware as a child. Frankly, I think the whole Delmarva Peninsula should be ceded to Delaware. But I’ll admit I’m partial to natural boundaries over lines drawn on a map for state borders.
Fair enough. It’s a common symptom among non-black liberals outside the South. If you’re black and still suffer from this huge blind spot, you’re uncommon in this regard. You should check yourself for your implicitly racist assumptions about the race of southerners who embody the region, of course–I’ve made that abundantly clear, just as you’ve made abundantly clear that you don’t think of active black people when you think of the SOuth.
I don’t typically see black Southerners flying the Confederate flag or hear them bragging about their “Southern pride.” I’m sure there are exceptions.
BBQ is too divisive. I always make East Carolina BBQ, slow smoked pork shoulder with vinegar and cayenne pepper sauce. Those Philistines in Tennessee use that tomato based sauce, there’s some folks down in South Carolina with a mustard based sauce, and we haven’t even discussed the whole brisket schism. Larry Wilmore suggested peach cobbler. I think we can all get behind peach cobbler.
I was before GusNSpot stomped on it. 
Stock car racing.
Don’t tell her there are Mexican-Americans here, too. Well, people from all over Latin-America–plenty of Cuban-Americans in Florida, for example. As well as people with Asian roots–who aren’t exactly white. I live in the country’s most diverse city, so I know this stuff. What about all the Gujaratis who own motels?
I’ve looked at the Battle Flag with contempt for most of my life. Beyond that traitorous rag, I don’t think Southerners need worry about the opinions of uptight folks who are so ashamed of their locality that they don’t mention it in their profile. In fact, there’s been a bit of humor in many of the positive suggestions here–which many people miss. Bless their hearts.
As Ray Wiley Hubbard says, “the only problem with irony is that not everybody gets it.”
Who’s being smug? What bashing? Isn’t that how The South is defined? It’s the states of the old confederacy. What other unique cultural characteristics are shared by all of the states in The South?
I said nothing about the KKK, nor did I say that hate groups were unique or even more common in The South. I live in Pennsylvania and we certainly have our share of them.
I was simply pointing out that “The South” is an arbitrary grouping of states that is largely or solely based on an old rebellion. You’re reading things into that that I did not intend to say.