Editorial: The KKK and the Confederate Flag

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Posted: 10:42 AM Mar 15, 2010
Last Updated: 10:43 AM Mar 15, 2010

28 comments

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The following piece was sent to us by Glen. Our response follows. -News 12

Dear Editor,

I just watched a story of which you were covering a proposed march by the KKK in Aiken and I am not happy with the way you distort the truth. As you talked about this group wanting to have a rally in April you showed a flag display that appeared to be one of the memorials to the Confederacy that are located near one of the highways in Aiken County.

Number 1: Why did you include this picture while referring to this group?

Number 2: The memorial site has nothing to do with this group but is a memorial to the Cause for which it stands.

Number 3: Your coverage in this manner only propagates the lies that have been told over many years as to the truth of what the war was about.

Number 4: I have included a link to an actual Klan rally (one of the largest ever) in Washington, DC that shows what flag they really stand behind.

Number 5: This group began using our beloved Confederate Flags with no approval from the majority of ancestors of this event.

Number 6: If you will check history you will find that the only flag on any ship that imported slaves to this country was the American flag and NO Confederate flag ever flew over any of these ships.

Number 7: Slavery before the war was going to end even if the war hadn’t happened because the people of the South knew it wasn’t right, its time was coming. Lincoln himself said that it was to keep the Union intact and only later used the issue of slavery to further the cause of keeping the Southern states in the Union and to bring about a quicker end to it all.

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause." The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln edited by Roy P. Basler, Volume V, "Letter to Horace Greeley" (August 22, 1862), p. 388.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYh8MOnAgv8

Please tell the truth and do not associate the Confederate memorials or the Confederate States of America to this group.

Thanks,

Glen

Thanks for that, Glen. You make a good point that the Confederate Memorial on the Aiken-Augusta Highway has nothing to do with the Klan march. But obviously, the Klan started carrying the Confederate flag in their parades years ago. They'll probably carry it again in April. We'll try not to confuse Confederate Memorials with Klan rallies. But you have to agree not to blame us if they hi-jack the flag and you see it on TV.

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Posted by: john Location: country club hills il on Mar 29, 2010 at 05:13 AM
there were alot of people from the south died fight for the south, a lot of people died for the bars and stars, they fought for what they belived in. as far as there flag goes , i belive the southern should fly free,why can the german war flag fly in our country, they killed lots of our people other flags of others countrys like the jap flag fly in the usa and they bombed the hell out of us,other countrys treat us like crap and they fly ther flag in our country , the south or anyone should be able to fly the confederate flag,the people of the south fought for what they belived in , that flag is part of our countrys history,the kkk uses that flag as a simble of there cause, its not what the war was about.there were a lot of differnt races that died in the war of north and south,there were alot of black people fighting for the south,they died defending that flag ,why dont you people get your head out of your ***, and learn what it is realy about.and stop blaming the flag smarten up today.

Posted by: Harry Location: Columbia on Mar 18, 2010 at 11:05 AM
I for one am certianly glad that MIke left the South. We don't need his scalawag ways down here. It's bad enough we have non-Southerners condemning us, we seem to have more and more apologist politically correct ignoramus people down here. Mike, you seem to miss the fact that it was the South was actually the one trying to remain true to the Constitution and what this country ws all about.....seems to me that the real traitors to the Constitution was Old Abe and his minions in blue.

Posted by: Rick R Location: Augusta on Mar 17, 2010 at 12:00 AM
Hey there silly politicaly correct people. If you asked me what race I was I would say AMERICAN, not german/dutch/spanish american. I was born in the United States of America. Raised here and plan to never leave here. I couldcare less what someone does with any other flag accept the American Flag. Then they better expect a good ol' whooping. ******* and ***** are how a certain color of people are called. Now I am not sure, but I would guess that maybe 5% or less of blacks, *******, ****** have even set foot on African soil, nor where they born there. I just filled out the census form and I guess I should be offended that there was only one box I could check. I just wanted to check off American and white. So what that a group of ignorant people want to use something that they know will cause conflict and bring the media. Well, maybe they may not be as dumb as I think if they thought that up. Get over yourselves and call people what they are, American, or immigrant.

Posted by: TK3 on Mar 16, 2010 at 05:11 PM
MR. Ali Akhyari; The problem with the flag in this case appears to be in the eye of the beholder. I take issue with the KLAN or any hate group flying the Rebel flag but the bloody battle FLAG itself is NOT associated with hate or racism but stands for a fight for States Rights and freedom from Federal tyranny. The battle of arms on the field was lost after 4 years of horrible war and the South was raped and plundered by the Feds and their appointed officials for years after. "If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no recourse left but in the exertion of that original right of self defense which is paramount to all positive forms of government." — Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist (#28)

Posted by: Ali Akhyari Location: Charleston, SC on Mar 16, 2010 at 02:46 PM
THe fact is that the Confederate Flag has become associated with racism and hate. If you choose to fly it, be prepared to carry that burden. Accurate Civil War history aside, the fact is that slavery is wrong and the Confederate States of America used a system that treated human beings that weren't white like animals. The flag represents that bigotry to a lot of people. North/South is irrelevant. There is no Confederate States of America. If you're so proud of heritage, fly your respective European flag. At least those countries still exist.

Posted by: TK3 on Mar 16, 2010 at 02:24 PM
Dear Mike "Secession" is NOT and never has been 'treason" according to the Constitution! Please don't let the screen door hit you on your way out heading back north. “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act”

Posted by: Mike on Mar 16, 2010 at 12:48 PM
This entire discussion is absurd. The flag is one that has been adopted by hate groups across this country. Who cares what its origins are...it now is associated with ignorance and bigotry. And Glen, give it up with the pseudo-pride of southern culture. Whether you want to admit it or not, your pride for a region, and what it did, is based on treason...there is no twisting this. It is the reality of what the south did when it declared sessesion from the Union. It gets no worse thant that. You can't claim to be proud of this fact and the flag that represented this, while also proclaiming your American flag-waving patriotism...it's either one or the other. Ugh. This is why I left the south.

Posted by: Ga.Cracker on Mar 16, 2010 at 11:07 AM
I was born and raised "southern",and proud of. One thing that I do is fly the American flag,Georgia State flag and a Confederate flag.I am not or do not like or have anything to do with the KKK.Just a Georgian born,southern cracker.

Posted by: Allen Location: Augusta on Mar 16, 2010 at 08:42 AM
To Carla, Glen did not use the word colored, its from a speech that Abraham Lincoln gave. That whole paragraph is from a speech Lincoln gave. Check your history people. One of the biggest plantations in Louisiana was owned by a black man who owned black slaves. Antoine Dubuclet was his name look him up.

Posted by: Tim Location: Evans on Mar 16, 2010 at 07:27 AM
"Any race should not be called colored. When writing about African Americans,or any other race, please refrain from using the word colored. It is derogatory and demeaning. I find it hard to believe that people may not know better than to use that word in that context. Shame on you Glen" Pay attention to what you read, the referance to "colored" was not stated by Glenn but as a quotation by Lincoln. Feel free to troll more, Shame on you Carla

Posted by: Robert Location: Waynesboro on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Carla, Glen did not use the term "colored race", Abraham Lincoln did. Try reading the article again and take note of quotation marks.

Posted by: Danny A Location: North Augusta on Mar 15, 2010 at 09:47 PM
Well said Glen.

Posted by: TK3 on Mar 15, 2010 at 09:09 PM
I am NOT a supporter of the Klan as it stands in this day and time but gov't schools (where they still teach any history) and the NAACP should stop teaching and preaching the falsehood that the Rebel flag is or was all about race & slavery (see story). The KKK was started as a guerilla group by a Rebel general at the end of the War of Secession to help fight a long and hard occupation on various fronts but soon became associated with attacks on mainly black politicians appointed by the Yankees and black Federal troops/police who terrorized many areas and the black and white carpetbaggers who stole property via their connection$ with the occupation forces. The Klan also has a history of fighting (right or wrong) desegregation forced-on governments in the South in the 60's by the Feds. The KKK has been labeled a hate group and now sadly brings shame to the proud Rebel battle flag. "Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by (govt') education. " -Bertrand Russel

Posted by: ObviouslySmarterThanYou Location: Aiken, SC on Mar 15, 2010 at 08:56 PM
Carla, I have to assume that your reading comprehension is not your strong suit. If you'll try re-reading the article very slowly, you will hopefully see that the words you are having a problem with were authored by Abraham Lincoln, not Glen. Brilliant comment, my dear!

Posted by: Charles Location: Walhalla on Mar 15, 2010 at 08:34 PM
So what that they started using the flag Richard, that still is NO reason to show a picture of a Confederate flag that was in a memorial or a historical setting. Don't just try not to mix the two things, DO IT! There is no excuse other than biased, liberal, attention getting journalism that attempts to link the klan with honorable Confederate veterans and in the meantime, disrespect their good names and their ancestors who try so hard to seperate the two. This, no thanks to haters who misuse the flag and to journalists who love to throw is all in the same pot for "sensational journalism". I am especially irked by your snobby attitude when responding to a guest writer.

Posted by: Carla Location: Augusta on Mar 15, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Any race should not be called colored. When writing about African Americans,or any other race, please refrain from using the word colored. It is derogatory and demeaning. I find it hard to believe that people may not know better than to use that word in that context. Shame on you Glen.

Posted by: southern born Location: augusta on Mar 15, 2010 at 03:38 PM
the confederate flag represents the south. what's wrong with that?

Posted by: ObviouslySmarterThanYou Location: Aiken, SC on Mar 15, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Richard Rogers replied, "But you have to agree not to blame us if they hi-jack the flag and you see it on TV". Spoken like a true "tabloid journalist". Just make sure you give equal camera coverage to the American Flags and the Christian Flags which the KKK will certainly be flying during their rally, as well. Or wouldn't that be politically correct?

Posted by: pete Location: augusta on Mar 15, 2010 at 02:37 PM
If ******* want to villianize a flag, why not villianize the U.S. flag. After all, it flew above the ships bringing their ancestors from Africa. It is the flag and the United States is the country you should have problems with!

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 15, 2010 at 12:42 PM
flag schmag...it's over...has been since 1865..let it die...wave whatever you wanna wave...just because the gay community uses a rainbow as an identifier, does NOT mean that i can't appreciate the beauty of a rainbow in the sky. it's not the sybols that cause problems...it how BOTH sides react to a symbol...and if it's a rainbow version of the confederate flag?...then..."wave on" my gay confedererates!

Posted by: recognize on Mar 15, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Get with the program. People are against the KKK having a rally, but it's okay for the NAACP to do what they want and to have a Gay parade in Augusta. If we're against discrimination, let's not discriminate against anyone.

Posted by: Mary Location: Williston, SC on Mar 15, 2010 at 12:03 PM
When is this rally? Time and place in Aiken? I would like to observe it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:39 AM
Some people will take a symbol and make it their own, destroying its original meaning in the process. For example, a black man with braided hair 50 years ago was labeled a gay slur at worst, but today he’s a thug. It’s present over originality. Truth be told, Africans owned salves way before slavery arrived in the States. My problem is not so much of the history behind the flag itself, but I believe that a lot of whites cherish it because THEY believe that it stands for all the things that society has come to believe that it stands for. Of course, I don’t believe all whites are like that, but there are definitely a large number of them that are.

Posted by: Tony Littles Location: Aiken, SC on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Glen...thank you...thank you...thank you! About time someone read the history. i moved here from NY over 19 years ago and this same foolishness was repeated over and over agian. I told people that the US flag has been used to bring more slaves then the Confederate flag ever brought, if it even brought any. Glen kudos...for setting them straight. I dont know if your white or black...but thats what the truth does..it eliminates the fact of needing to know. Good job!

Posted by: Deron Location: Thomson on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:35 AM
The problem with the relationship of the confederate Flag and the Klan has little to do with Slavery and more to do the the history and tyranny that the Klan has represented over many years. Most modern day African Americans don't relate the confederate flag to Slavery but more to it's use by MANY hate groups such as the Klan and Skinheads. If those groups had not used that flag as a symbol of their beliefs this probably would not be a discussion today.

Posted by: pete Location: Augusta on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Excellent article Glen. Poor excuse Rogers, but as we all know, you purpose is to sell papers--no matter the truth.

Posted by: Allan Location: Aiken on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Not to be incindiary, but displaying love and affection for a piece of cloth seems a little silly. I've managed to retain my southern heritage and identity while not flying flags, wearing t-shirts with slogans, pasting my automobile with stickers, etc. I try not to worry too much about other people's ideologies, spiritual affiliation, political leanings, sexual preference, etc. If neither is violating my rights...do your thing. It's what our constitution guarantees us. Just because I think both sides are small-minded, short-sighted and, generally, uneducated doesn't mean they don't have rights. You should all read more and consider that what your parents told you may have been bull****. They didn't know any better. A lot of what we tell our kids is bull****. I hope they don't listen too much...and read more than you did.

Posted by: gene Location: aiken on Mar 15, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Mr Rogers I remember as a young boy watching the Klan in their motorcades , they would pass close to where I lived . They had a hearse and their symbol on the hearse wad a cross . Everyone is quick to point out the flag and condemn it but they never mention the cross . Also most people knows that the news media always uses anything they can that is controversial to sell the news.

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