Status Updates From The Confederate Battle Flag...

"if they take about Diversity, they are gonna get it."

Chapter explores how southern States/groups fought for the right, someone with the ACLU's help, to use the flag.

"What we stood for, will stand for, and will fight for"

Chair talks about how in the 90s the idea of heritage became major theme in the fight for the Bflag.

(If you can't support the Bflag, you aren't a true southerner.)

Interesting chapter, "the perverted banner."

The chapter talks about different groups (United Daughters of the Conferacy and Sons of Confederate Veterans) and their efforts to prevent the flag from being tied to White Supremacists.

They wanted to make misuse of the Flag illegal... But just as the flag code was ruled unconstitutional so to were these laws.

Dukes of Hazard and flags on cars discussion as well.

Severals news stories have popped up on my read about US Naval ships returning to port with different flags (USS Kidd flying a Jolly Ranger, USS Paul Hamilton with Moultrie flag, and USS America flying Capt America flag).

These are modern incarnations of the idea mentioned in this book about units flying regimental colors/historic origins--which included Confederate Battle Flags.

Side note, I would be surprised if the book covers this. But Nathan Bedford Forrest's Battle Flag only had 12 stars, not the 13 used in the more common battle flag.

Forrest apparently refused to 'honor' Kentucky with a star because he fought there.

Why is this relevant? Because Forrest was the founder of the KKK. Would he have used his battle flag or Lee's?

Just finished the chapter on white supremecy.

The chair is about how the battle flag, regardless of what it meant pre1950s, was co-opted by white supremacists and the KKK.

It is an interesting chapter because it includes some discussion from people who cherished the battle flag, but saw it's role shifting--- which is what I think the next chapter is really about.

This book is fascinating.

It talks about the flag fad of 1949-51, where the battle flag became popular in both the South and the North.

How military units and ships came to use it (in Korea we fought under a UN flag! So it was brandished as a symbol. If course there was resustence.)

Use at Old Miss and Florida.

NASCAR

Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Resustence from black newspapers...

Wish I knew more about the KKK!

The book makes the claim that in the 1920s when the KKK had it's ressurection, the focus of the KKK was in Catholics and foreigners. I know the KKK was not just about blacks but interesting notion.

Also, book claims that prior to WWII, the battle flag wasn't there symbol of the KKK or even the South. That it was in the 40s, with the return of troops from the war that it gained str.

Key points:

1. In the early 1900s there were 4 major Confederate Descendents groups. Each accepted a different flag (3 national and battle flag.). By 1930, the battle flag win out.

2. Kkk didn't use battle flag until the 40s!

3. 1890s US flags put in Civil War tombstones. 1910s became Common for CSA.

4. Cleveland offered to return captured flags to Southern states, became major political issue.

I'm a flag guy... This book is one that I'm gonna love... Learning something new every page...

The color guard originated from the 6 people assigned to guard the flag and pick it up if dropped.

The flag bearer was the only person who went into battle unarmed.

Over 50% of medal of Honors in Civil War were for capturing the flag

I knew that a large number were given for carrying it ( Eg first black- William Carney)

Good start... But I don't think this is going to have a wide appeal.

I'm a flag guy, but if you aren't, this might not be for you.