Hey Confederates....you lost!
So we're driving to a family reunion out in the middle of nowhere (still in Michigan though) when we're driving behind this truck. Now I don't usually have a problem with trucks. But this one exemplified in many ways what's wrong with America.
First, this truck was huge. Unnecessarily huge. "I'm-so-cool-I-can-waste-all-the-hydrocarbons-I-want" huge. With those big-ass tires to offset this goon's Napoleon complex.
But what really gets me is the obnoxious Confederate flag emblazoned on the entirety of his back window.
I really don't get that. You lost, sucker. Get over it.
The only reason you'd display a Confederate flag is if you're (A) a racist or (B) a sore loser.
»
Tags:
You wouldn't get it
Not everyone gets it. It's not racist, even some black people have the Confederate thing. It's more of a Southern thing. I bet he likes to hunt too.
To many the Confederate flag is more of a symbol of a lifestyle. Not so much "crazy old man with a shotgun shouting 'the South will rise again'", more like "Bo and Luke Duke with the Confederate flag painted on the General Lee, driving around having fun and acting crazy".
-
I tend to agree with Mark on this one. Even if it is a "symbol of a lifestyle" no one should be driving around with that sticker on their truck because many people will be offended.
Is it that offensive?
Since when is the simple fact that "many people will be offended" a sufficient reason for changing the way one acts, dresses, or decorates their vehicle? Granted, there are some general (and largely voluntary) boundaries of decency, but is a flag really so controversial as to violate such a boundary? I'm offended by some bumper stickers I see, and I think they're foolish, but I'm certainly not going to tell the driver to take them off because they offend me. Its just not that important. No matter what you do, with the exception of secluding yourself from society, someone will probably be offended by something about you.
And frankly, the confederate flag, as it is used nowadays, generally represents rebellion and nonconformity. One could even argue that it is a symbol of values that have been deeply embedded in American culture since the beginning of the nation.
Finally, let's not forget that race/slavery was only one of many factors in the Civil War, one which admittedly grew through the course of the war. The war was more concerned with the legality of secession, states rights, and the preservation of the Union. So, no, not everyone who has a confederate flag is a racist or sore loser. Some just like the way it looks.
confederates
freedom of choice
are you really *that* offended by ones choice in personal transportation?
I don't enjoy paying the gas bill for my Chevrolet Suburban, but I like the ride. (and those little jap jobs are unable to get me to work, what with all the things I need to tow)
I may not like some things people stick on their bumpers/back windows, but surely they should not be alienated for things they have to say.
For example, I have a tux sticker on my back window. I use Linux. Hardly offensive, but I enjoy the freedom to advertise whatever I want. (If it were a confederate flag, or even an American flag, I would hope to be able to display it freely as well). It starts with confederate flags and "W 04" stickers, but if we ban political symbols, well, isn't that what free speech is all about?
Woah, no way am I calling
Woah, no way am I calling for a ban on political symbols. You should be free to display whatever you want on your personal method of transportation provided it isn't something outright profane. Freedom of expression is one of the central principles upon which our country was founded, and I stand by it wholeheartedly.
Now, having that said, I guess I don't understand the usage of the confederate flag in the modern-day context.
Sure, the Civil War was brought about by more than just slavery. (States rights, nullification, etc) But when you peel back the layers of politics surrounding the conflict, the root cause was essentially slavery. The states that seceded first were ones with the highest concentration of plantations, the ones that would stand to loose the most economically from an abolition of slavery in the territories. The exploitation of others was so deeply intwined in the economy, those in the south sought to justify it in any way possible, glossing over the moral contradiction between legalized slavery and "all men are created equal" in favor of their own economic stability.
I say that as a northerner, and perhaps I'd feel differently if one of my relatives, for instance, was on the Confederate side during the American Civil War. After all, most people who fought for the south in the Civil War were not racist scumbags, but people who were simply fighting to defend their homeland.
But when I see a Confederate flag, it symbolizes for me the racist oligopoly of plantation owners who were the manipulative driving force behind the war. I'm not saying it should be banned. I just personally think it's a stupid symbol to emblazon on the back of your truck.
Now, as for the method of transportation, I'm not really "offended", but I do find certain vehicles just incredibly obnoxious. Take the Hummer for instance. There are people in military, industrial and commercial occupations who genuinely need a powerful vehicle for hauling/towing/etc.
But to market what is essentially a military vehicle to soccer moms and average joes is irresponsible. Not only is it an incredible hydrocarbon black-hole, a vehicle engineered without any concept of efficiency in mind, but the vehicles themselves are huge (more of an issue for big cities than in suburbs.)
Plus, (this will make some people mad, but they can pound sand) owners of Hummers tend to have a greater chance of being egotistical arrogant assholes. Take this picture for instance that I snapped at the Michigan sand dunes:
They park their Hummer in the handicapped spot (no visible handicapped tags, mind you) and each one of the able-bodied occupants walk straight up the front of the dune to the peak. A fairly steep climb, I might add.
So yeah, it's that kind of person that I do find offensive.
other vehicles....
point taken on the confederate flag thing... I can understand why you feel that way (although I don't agree with it).
Most, if not all, types of vehicles have the so-called owner snobbishness. The Toyota Prius screams to me: I'm saving the environment. What are YOU doing?". The Honda Element and Scion Xb say: "I'm a trendy youth who wants to be different, just like everybody else." And don't get me started on Volkwagen.
We (my family) also own a Pontiac Trans Am, and my daily driver Is a Mazdaspeed Protege. I just use the Suburban for work (I often need to go to sites that are a bit "remote" and tow heavy equipment).
Face it, unusual vehicles are for people who want to be noticed, to stand out. Vehicles like the hummer, prius, exotic sportscars, large pickup trucks, etc. may have a purpose, but most of their owners just want them to stand out.
you may find this article of interest: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/07/prius_politics.html
I don't care what that sites "slant" is, I think they have a point.
These arguments extend beyond cars. One thing i've noticed here on campus (UC) is that Apple users are quite flamboyant. Now, i'm not talking about the type that uses the machine because they need the PowerPC architecture for the power, or the unix OS for the security and development tools. I'm talking about the type that use the system simply because they want to be *different*.
There's nothing wrong with Macs, I would love to own one (they are too expensive for me). I don't even care if you buy one simply for the designer hardware. But for the love of God, don't rub the fact that I use a cheap Hewlett Packard in my face. If it weren't for the shoddy ATI support, and worthless broadcom wireless, it would be the perfect laptop for me. (I'm just talking about laptops here. I probably have 15 or 20 incomplete desktops in my basement, and a very nice compaq vr-evolution workstation) I have better things to do than play games, anyway, and pcmcia cards are cheap.
Forgive me, I'm an electrical engineer and a bit of a nerd when it comes to computers.
love the blog, btw.
well i have a Confederate
well i have a Confederate flag on my truck and i now live in MI. i hope it was me you saw because if the showing of my heritage makes you that upset then you need to (A) mind you own (B) find something that matter to be pissed about, i hope you can do that,
Total necro comment, but
Total necro comment, but nice grammer buddy.