Old South

[SWTXBelle]

To clarify - it makes MORE sense if you weigh the fact that the Union had slavery LONGER than the CSA. Sorry if I wasn't more clear - and while that makes more logical sense, my ultimate point is that it's silly to get into that particular contest, since both sides were guilty of the same sin. I didn't think you were rude, btw.

As to history - I met my husband doing living history presentations for local schools. (I played a resident of occupied New Orleans - he was a hateful Yankee a la Beast Butler's school of charm.) He is a history professor who is the protege of Tuffly Ellis, and is a published WBTS scholar. Not the same thing as having the degrees myself, but I am surrounded by a great deal of the stuff, and you'd be surprised at what constitutes dinner conversation 'round here.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Beryana

What you are thinking of as the 'Confederate Flag' is actually the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia.

Or the second navy jack -- same basic design, but rectangular rather than square and no white border.

Originally Posted by Nanners52674

It very well could be my general lack of Civil War knowledge but I've never fully understood how the Rebel Flag came to be a sign of slavery.

As SWTXBelle says, it's not really so much a symbol of slavery per se. But thanks to the way that the battle flag/navy jack ("the Confederate/Rebel flag") was used/co-opted by white supremacist groups like the Klan and by those opposing desegregation, it became associated with white supremacy and Jim Crowism.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

As a proud southerner I am appalled any time any symbols of the C.S.A. are used by any racist groups. I consider it an insult to the memory of my ancestors.

Ditto.