Some interpretations leave sordid impressions
'Dixie' is a variety of things to different people, ranging from Southern hospitality to oppression, and its symbols often prove offensive
Andrew C. Gray
Issue date: 3/14/07 Section: Features
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In the South, the Confederate flag is something that most have come accustomed to seeing. It sprawls across the fronts of T-shirts, is slapped on the bumpers of cars, hangs on walls and in doorways and is flown on many a flagpole -- even on and around campus.
For students like Andrew Allen and Shoshanna Roberts, though, the ideals and values represented by the Confederate flag are issues unclear and confused, even from opposite ends of the racial spectrum.
Allen is a white first-year student in the Agricultural Institute, majoring in turfgrass management. According to Allen, Southern values are about hard work and politeness, and are very important and admirable.
"Dixie values are the best values you can have," Allen said.
Shoshanna Roberts, a black sophomore in animal science, said she believes Southern values are more about manners than they are about anything else.
"To me, southern Dixie values have to do with manners," Roberts said. "[The flag] is a part of it, yes, but I wouldn't put it as a very big part."
Roberts works for the N.C. State Equal Opportunity Institute and grew up in the northern part of the country. She said she thinks people in the South have a different kind of value system than those in the North.
"Southerners in general are more mannered than Northerners and a lot of other Americans in general," Roberts said. "They say 'God bless you' when you sneeze."
Allen said he thinks these values have begun to fall by the wayside. He said the reason for this is political correctness and the negative connotation some people associate with the Confederate flag, which has long been a symbol of Dixie.
However, according to Allen, people's reservations about the Confederate flag are unfounded.
"[The Confederate flag] represents a good point in Southern history. I don't think it should be hidden by no means," Allen said. "I think it should be displayed and worn proudly."
For students like Andrew Allen and Shoshanna Roberts, though, the ideals and values represented by the Confederate flag are issues unclear and confused, even from opposite ends of the racial spectrum.
Allen is a white first-year student in the Agricultural Institute, majoring in turfgrass management. According to Allen, Southern values are about hard work and politeness, and are very important and admirable.
"Dixie values are the best values you can have," Allen said.
Shoshanna Roberts, a black sophomore in animal science, said she believes Southern values are more about manners than they are about anything else.
"To me, southern Dixie values have to do with manners," Roberts said. "[The flag] is a part of it, yes, but I wouldn't put it as a very big part."
Roberts works for the N.C. State Equal Opportunity Institute and grew up in the northern part of the country. She said she thinks people in the South have a different kind of value system than those in the North.
"Southerners in general are more mannered than Northerners and a lot of other Americans in general," Roberts said. "They say 'God bless you' when you sneeze."
Allen said he thinks these values have begun to fall by the wayside. He said the reason for this is political correctness and the negative connotation some people associate with the Confederate flag, which has long been a symbol of Dixie.
However, according to Allen, people's reservations about the Confederate flag are unfounded.
"[The Confederate flag] represents a good point in Southern history. I don't think it should be hidden by no means," Allen said. "I think it should be displayed and worn proudly."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
Steve Hall
posted 3/14/07 @ 8:13 AM EST
This is a pretty good article, but there are some things which need to be looked at more in depth here. I will touch on a couple:
1. It is mentioned in the article about the tendency of whites to move out of a neighborhood as blacks move in. (Continued…)
Tommy Aaron
posted 3/14/07 @ 7:34 PM EST
"My question for them is: If [the Confederate flag] is such a regional symbol, then why don't black Southerners embrace it the way white Southerners do?" ~ Richard Dellafave
Many do. (Continued…)
cajie
posted 3/15/07 @ 12:53 PM EST
I agree with Steve Hall's assesment more than I do with the writer of this article. It is good to see someone using reality of the Civil Rights movement instead of the myth spin we always see. (Continued…)
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