Quote:
Originally Posted by aerovette
Let the parks sell the damn rebel flag and give the money to black charity if it eases the conscience. I'll bet it won't be turned down.
That would be an interesting social experiment.
A shelf full of rebel flags and a sign stating 100% of the money made from the sale of the flags will go to the NAACP. Do you think the checks would be returned?
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Czarvette
I gotta admit, that's a creative solution. I like it.  |
Sorry to be quoting myself, but I wanted to extend the chain of thought.
Theres multiple reasons I like the idea. One of which is that it subverts the purposes of those who would want to buy a Confederate flag with malicious intent. Another is that nothing is so appealing as the forbidden fruit... So don't forbid it, co-opt it. Undermine the negative power and replace it with positive.
So, imagine this: what if the black community were to adopt the Confederate flag and co-opt it as a symbol of pride and triumph over their oppressors and those who would oppress? embracing the Confederate flag could become a reminder that the black community prevails and flourishes whereas old Dixie and its system of slavery does not.
Ludicrous? I think not. Just look to the Christian cross. The crucifix was a torture device used by the Romans to inflict a horrific death. Jesus, and many martyrs to follow, died on this instrument. And yet, what is the most common, and perhaps holiest symbol of Christianity, embraced and revered by Christians and generally given respect by others? The tool of their oppressor became a symbol of forgiveness, blessing, salvation, and triumph over death. As someone observed, had Christ been executed in modern times, in a few hundred years the Christian church's primary symbol would be the electric chair.
Hey, co-option worked for Christmas and Easter, too, by the way.
Could never happen? I draw your attention to the gay community's work over the last couple of decades to reclaim the word "queer" and turn it from a pejorative to an adjective of pride.