Confederate Flag Hung From Noose Draws Ire

[Blue Belle]

Confederate Flag Hung From Noose Draws Ire
Museum Will Keep Artwork Despite Complaints From Sons Of Confederate Veterans
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/17/national/main2580899.shtml



<SNIP>(CBS/AP) A Confederate flag hanging from a noose on a 13-foot gallows will remain on display despite protests calling it an affront to Southern heritage. The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science said it stands by the work, titled "The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag" by black artist John Sims, because it wants to inspire dialogue.

It inspired a fiery condemnation from the commander of the local camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, who said the exhibit may violate Florida law. "I found it objectionable, I found it tasteless, and I found it offensive," Robert Hurst told CBS affiliate WCTV correspondent Andrea Candrian. "I don't really call it 'art.'"

<SNIP>Those on the other end of the spectrum hoped people could look beyond the gallows and focus on something deeper. "The visual part of it says, 'I want you to remember, we don't want to go back to that again," said Anita L. Davis.

<SNIP>Hurst said he has discussed the possibility of taking legal action. Hurst also was angry that Chucha Barber, the museum's executive director, asked him to put his objections in writing and then distributed Hurst's e-mail to the board and to the media without asking for his approval.
"They're alienating a large portion of the population around here," Hurst said. "Maybe they just wanted to cause some controversy."

I see... in Hurst's world, a flag hanging from a noose is offensive... but a non-white, non-protestant hanging from a noose... well, that's just different. Why is a flag more respected than people? :eyes:

[Bluebear]

1. That THAT is compelling art. Bravo. nt

[kdpeters]

2. Can't have it both ways

If they want to keep that offensive symbol on our state flags and flying on our public grounds, then I don't want to hear their crap when someone uses freedom of expression to show what it symbolizes to the rest of us.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. What is hung in the artwork was NEVER

the official flag of the Confederacy. That was the "Stars and Bars" in various different manifestations. This is the Battle Flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, which I seriously doubt ever fought in Florida. It was this banner that was used by the KKK, and this banner that was featured at lynchings throughout the South.

The local SCV chapter in Harrison AR flies the Stars and Bars at their memorial on the courthouse square, btw.

[Retired AF Dem]

5. Yes, doesnt history suck?

http://www.errvideo.com/Press/An%20Offer%20of%20Proof.html

[ocdem]

4. they outta hang the u.s. flag

:@

[Selatius]

6. This will provoke much-needed dialogue. It will make people show who they really are.

I'm speaking, of course, of the Neo-Confederates and the romanticists who gloss over the reality of the antebellum south.

[MadHound]

7. Oh, and what the Confederates hung from nooses throughout the country wasn't offensive?

Tell you what, I say let's do what these Confederates did after they got done stringing some poor soul up, light the damn flag up and let it burn.

I'm so fucking sick and tired of these goddamn people and their "southern heritage" Get the fuck over it! It wasn't a war for states rights, it was a war to preserve slavery! It wasn't a noble cause, it was fucking treason! And that goddamn flag isn't a symbol of "southern heritage" it's a symbol of hate, racism and treason!

Get the hell over yourselves, realize that you were fighting on the wrong side of justice, and put away your symbols of hate, bigotry and treason.

[Retired AF Dem]

9. You would think that after all these years

the southern Dems would of gotten over being beaten by the Northern Repugs. History sure is interesting.

[ComerPerro]

13. Wow, you sure got things skewered like crazy

but I guess the mind's eye sees what it wants.

Let me get this straight. You see the North, the Union, as Republicans. And you see the South, the confederacy, as Democrats?

While its a respectible argument to frame the Union as Republican (Lincoln had the party affiliation, the north was heavily industrialized and extremely wealthy), those who provoked rebellion among the south could hardly be described as Democrats or progressives. If anything, you had Big Business Republican vs Libertarian Republican.

The attempted rebellion was conceived by the wealthy landowners of the south, as a means for more tightly consolidating their power amongst themselves. And they happened to convince enough poor people to go along with their scheme, using images of home and individual rights and family. Like it or not, the Confederate soldier was fighting so that a different group of wealthy elites could control him.

[Blue Belle]

11. Well said MadHound...

I'm right there with ya.

[BulletproofLandshark]

8. That flag is a traitor's flag.

They should've staged a burning instead.

[KG]

10. i'd almost sympathize with SCV, but for decades they never complained as professed hate groups

have used the battle flag as a symbol. they cant have both ways.

[Clark2008]

12. I guess that would be powerful...

...if that was the Confederate flag.

But, it's not.


This is the Confederate Flag:

[Blue Belle]

15. You'd think a Son of a Confederate Veteran would know that...

Perhaps he should research the heritage he professes to love so much.

[Labors of Hercules]

14. Love the title of the work... it says it all.

"The Proper Way to Hang a Confederate Flag"

[gatorboy]

16. They should be happy!

Their flag is finally being displayed like they want. ;)