The Confederate battle flag, called the "Southern Cross" or the cross of St. Andrew, has been described variously as a proud emblem of Southern heritage and as a shameful reminder of slavery and segregation. In the past, several Southern states flew the Confederate battle flag along with the U.S. and state flags over their statehouses. Others incorporated the controversial symbol into the design of their state flags. The Confederate battle flag has also been appropriated by the Ku Klux Klan and other racist hate groups. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, more than 500 extremist groups use the Southern Cross as one of their symbols. (excerpt from infoplease.com
Unsettling. Surreal. Made me cringe... My first encounter with students dressed in confederate uniforms with large confederate flags sewn over their hearts. It was April and I was volunteering at the school book fair. I asked other moms about these kids. I couldn't fully process their answers. It didn't add up to me. They were surprised that I was surprised to see such a scene. These were 5th graders at Evan's school. Every year 5th graders spend several weeks dressed as civil war soldiers (however I didn't ever see any Union troops). I told several moms standing near me that this most likely wouldn't fly in many parts of the country including where I had moved from. One mom actually responded "Does it bother you because you [southerners] didn't win?" I couldn't help but laugh even though I knew she was absolutely being serious.
My second day at the book fair/day two of the Mason Dixon Line Twilight Zone, brought more mini confederates and more uncomfortable feelings for me. I found myself shaking my head and even trying to refocus my eyes. Was I over reacting? Was I being too sensitive? After all these kids were happily immersed in learning about the Civil War. Learning about what our country endured at that pivotal time in our history... right? As the class of 10 year old gray coats shopped the book fair, I struck up a conversation with their teacher. I tried to keep things light and breezy (honest). Everything was pretty standard issue until I asked what she taught as the main cause of the Civil War. Her response and I quote "States rights [pause] and other things." I'm fairly certain my mouth hung open at that point. What things exactly are 'and other things'? Such reenactments may work in the bubble of Indiana, PA, however I asserted that the bubble needs to be aware of how others might respond to the proud display of the confederate flags on young children. I told her that states rights was the watered down answer to the issue of slavery. I also stated the obvious... there were no African American students in her class. If there were how might those students feel? What about their parents? She informed me that the students learn about Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad too. Well, why didn't she say so in the first place? : / I told her that my son and husband were both African American and that it would make us uncomfortable to display the confederate flag so prominently. To us it is more than playing dress up as part of studying about the battle of Gettysburg. This discussion didn't help to sooth my feelings.
The following week Evan's school lobby was adorned with confederate flags. Every window in the large lobby was covered with a flag. They were taped to walls and doors. The students had each made a large flag out of various materials. I was dumb founded. I was confused. Why did this bother me? But it was as if the Civil War was being celebrated... not just acknowledged or held in reverence, but in a bizzare way celebrated. Was it necessary to dress up kids with flags and drape the school with flags to learn about history? Did any adult in that school building understand what the flag symbolizes to so many Americans? Have they ever felt that wound? Does the volatile tension it can raise matter to them? I in no way mean to imply that those involved are uncaring. In every way I mean to imply that they are ignorant about the issue. I guess I never expected to encounter such a thing as my son's elementary school infested with the confederacy in Pennsylvania, USA. (By the way, do the students get to run around the school dressed as German soldiers or the VietCong during the study of those units?)
I have asked a number of friends and family members about this issue. From the responses I am hopeful that I am not going off the deep end. Markas said in no uncertain terms that Evan will never wear or make his own confederate flag. If we are still in Indiana, PA in a few years, things should get interesting.
