The Confederate Flag and the Arrogance of Racism

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

but with humility comes wisdom. 

Proverbs 11:2

The Sin of pride undergirds racism.  Pride is a misdirected self-love that regards others as being inferior to the individual or race.~Lisa Sharon Harper in Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised Faith

Racism need not be malicious or intentional to be.~Monica Harrold

Last month, after the massacre of nine African-American people in Charleston S. Carolina by a self-identified White Supremacist who posted pictures of himself displaying what is commonly understood to be the confederate flag (Understanding that the flag used most often to commemorate Confederacy is quite different than what was used by the Confederacy).  In response to the tragedy, cries were renewed to remove that same flag, that had been flying at the South Carolina Statehouse since 1961.  

It is heartbreaking, to realize that it took a tragedy of this degree to even initiate a real discussion on the symbolic nature of the confederate flag and what it represents not only to the citizenry of S. Carolina but its greater role in American society. In the wake of America's first African-American President (I know that he is bi-racial, but this is his self-identity), it is fascinating that we still struggle to have real discussions on race, privilege, and power.  That is precisely what the flag controversy is about.

The confederate flag that was raised on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds in April 11, 1961 as a response against the growing Civil Rights movement.  Multiple studies have shown the use of confederate flags in southern states ballooned in the 1950's and 60's, in an open defiance against racial desegregation.  Some historians have argued that it was more of a symbol of resistance against Federal government intrusion than it was against desegregation.  Unfortunately, the government intrusion was precisely the forced desegregation of schools, and the pressure to disassemble the Jim Crow  laws that diminished the dignity of African-American people and limited their access to basic rights of citizenry and humanity.

It is against this backdrop and context that we understand the confederate flag.  I understand that a flag in itself is neither evil or good.  A flag is simply a symbol of something.  The confederate flags (as we know many different flags are used) were asserted to commemorate a treasonous insurrection in American history based on the racist ideology that "White" Americans had the legal and may I say, divine right, to own, subjugate, dominate, and kill African-Americans.  This insurrection led to the death of over 700,000 soldiers alone, eclipsing the American casualties of World War I, II, the Korean war, the Vietnam war, the American Revolutionary War, and the Iraq Wars combined.  The loss of life is staggering and yet, it is minimized.

The Arrogance of racism is that it thinks it represents the best of America.  Somehow, the adherents of confederate flag waving believe that the flags that were used to proudly defend the brutality of chattel slavery for over 2 million African-Americans (estimate in 1861 according to History.com) and were the symbols of resistance to civil rights in the 1950's and 1960's suddenly should be interpreted as the benevolent symbol of Southern charm, hospitality, and industriousness?  This is literally akin to having a celebration of German culture by using the Nazi flag, but denying the holocaust.  Yes, its just that offensive. 

The most disturbing  thing is that the flag controversy allows us to pull the covers back to see the systemic racism that is inherent in many institutions, including some governmental entities.  This is why many African-Americans have a strong pro-Federal government view.  Not because the Federal government is perfect, was not a venue for racism, or has always advocated for whats in their best interest, but because it was often Federal government initiatives that imposed liberties that were often violently refused at the state and local levels in my lifetime.  It is that "Big government" that Confederate Flag rages against, but not because of inappropriate taxes, unfunded mandates, but because it challenged the predominant power structure which was built upon White Supremacy and the oppression of people of color for 200 years.  The consequences of that will not go away because we remove the flag, but removing the flag shames the embedded ideology of racism and proclaims that racist sentimentality is offensive, un-American, and does not represent a majority of its citizenry.

It is my prayer that this will lead to deeper discussion on race, culture, and civility.  I hope that we develop new symbols of hope, healing, and reconciliation that we can proudly fly from our statehouses and wave at parades that celebrates that best of America which are those blessed peacemakers and activists who performed prophetic acts leading to dignity, not disgrace.

I end with a challenge to the Church:

"Until the United States and the church is willing to take bold action to dismantle and reform our Nation's racialized political structures and its economic policies with racialized outcomes, then race will remain a relevant focus of analysis and repentance in society and the church."~Lisa Sharon Harper

God bless you.  Make a difference!