Heritage?

Icons and symbols are important components in the identity of a culture or society. Unfortunately, the cherished symbol of one community may be a hated symbol to a neighboring people group. Such clashes arise time to time in the South over the icons of the Southern Secession. African Americans are incensed at the lingering appearance of an icon that represents centuries of chattel slavery and a century of oppression under the banner of Jim Crowe. At the same time these symbols are integral to the identity of many White Southerners. Often the debate is framed in terms of heritage versus hate.

However, to frame the debate as heritage versus hate is often problematic and even disingenuous. As a native of Georgia, I am sympathetic to claims of heritage. I grew up in the shadow of Kennesaw Mountain, and my grandfather was from Andersonville, Georgia. I have visited forts and battlefields across the Old South, but I am also an avid amateur historian. Historians, both professional and amateur, try to sort out reality from Hollywood. We enjoy exploring the complexities of events and arguing over the assessments of those events. Above all, we relish the details.

Often the details are the first casualty in public debates. A populist understanding of the Civil War is reflected in Gone with the Wind. One of my history professors, an actual Civil War historian, appraised the movie correct in that there was a Civil War and Atlanta did burn, but the rest was nonsense. The Civil War was a complex event that should not be caricatured into simplistic bumper sticker slogans. That is a topic for another day. 

Many who claim to be supporting the heritage of the South cannot distinguish between the actual tenets of the Confederacy and the myths of the Lost Cause. Worse yet, they mix the Lost Cause with the defenders of segregation. 

For example, let's look at the Confederate Battle Flag and remember that details matter. It is not uncommon to see a large Confederate banner flying from the back of an oversized pickup truck with bumper stickers warning not to disrespect the "Stars and Bars." However, the banner flown is not the Stars and Bars and technically is not even a Confederate flag. Details matter especially with flags. The Stars and Bars was the first official flag of the CSA and resembles the Stars and Stripes.

First National Confederate Flag - The Stars and Bars

The resemblance was too close and caused a few incidents of friendly fire in the early days of the war. It was replaced by the Stainless Banner, but it still lives on in places like the current flag of the state of Georgia. 

Second National Confederate Flag - The Stainless Banner

Third National Confederate Flag - The Blood Dipped Banner

The Confederate Battle Flag is a square flag like a naval ensign with the Saint Andrews Cross like the flag of Scotland. As a large portion of the Southern army had Scottish roots, the battle flag soared in popularity. It was incorporated into the 2nd and 3rd Confederate national flags. While it is possible that individual units may have adopted some banner similar to the Southern Cross, the general order authorizing the battle flag was specific as to the dimensions and color of the flag.


The banner with the Southern Cross was created as the symbol of the Segregated South and as a general sign of rebellion.  Harley Davidson incorporated the Southern Cross into their merchandise as a symbol of the rebellious spirit until they succumbed to the pressure of PC concerns. But the Southern Cross banner symbolized segregation and was one of the banners of the Ku Klux Klan. 

The symbols of the CSA are still an integral part of the Southern identity. We should not bury them because they are history. However, we must be careful about context and details. Those who wish to promote their Southern heritage must be careful as to which heritage they are promoting. Though I don't fly a Confederate Flag, if I did I would fly one of the national banners or more likely the unit flag of my Great great grandfather (still researching his unit. If anyone knows the banner of the 1st City Battalion Columbus, Georgia, please send it to me). If you're not sure about which flag you are flying and why, then perhaps you need to study your history and heritage a little more.