Like all phobias, its center mass expands to invade not just the original target (the 1861-1865 confederation of Southern states) - but anything remotely connected by philosophy, culture or imagination. Thus, the imagined danger can include the fear or hatred of a region of the country (the South), the culture of the South, historical references to the South, even to entertainment with a remote reference to that culture. For example, people can come to fear TV shows such as The Dukes of Hazzard, Gone with the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird; or historical novels, biographies or video games.
And why do we love to hate Confederate flags? The following reasons are plausible:
- It's easier to fear and attack something you can see, something physical. A visible enemy is not as frightening as an invisible one. You may not see racism, hatred, terrorism, Naziism, or a thousand other hateful ideas - but you can see the Confederate flag. Transfer your hostilities to something visible. Let the object symbolize whatever it is that you hate or fear.
- It is easier to remove a Confederate flag than it is to remove the real evils in our society. You can remove a flag from a building in 5 minutes. That may make you feel better. It does nothing to remove the real problem.
- Government feels called upon to do something -- and anything is better than nothing. After any national disaster, be it a flood, hurricane or terror attack, government leaders are expected to respond. Above all, they must never be honest and say, "There is nothing rational that we can do in response to this disaster." So, they invent something to do - even if it is inconsequential, illogical or downright stupid. In this case, all they could think of was removing the Confederate flag. It doesn't accomplish anything; in fact, it probably is a retrograde political move that sets us back 150 years--but is the only thing government or society knows to do.
- Politicians must try to show support and solidarity with the victims of disaster. It is a basic requirement of all persons who hold elected office--to identify with voters in their time of need. When 9 persons were murdered in South Carolina, it was natural and necessary for politicians to come together and show how aghast and horrified they were, and how to show show how much they protested the horrible act. When activists began to appear on national television calling for the removal of Confederate flags, what political leader could fail to support their cause under these circumstances. It would matter in the least how irrelevant, impertinent or ineffective their position might be--nobody could ever dare oppose it. If those who declared themselves in support of the victims wanted to ban apple pie, motherhood, the American flag, baseball, or anything else, the politicians had absolutely no choice but to sign on. The issues were being picked by the victims and their ad hoc spokesmen, not by the political leaders. Can you imagine going on TV and saying, "Wait a minute. I don't know what good removing a Confederate flag is going to do"? It isn't conceivable that any politician would have an inclination to say that in public. Without restraint, then, those who took it upon themselves to speak for the victims of the disaster rule the day and there is absolutely no restraint to the credulous demands that they may make.
- Finally - there are individuals and organizations who make their living off of racial division. If racial harmony and non-discrimination were ever achieved, these individuals would be out of a job, out of influence--and they would have to go to work in a real job. Their job, therefore, is to be sure that there is always racial tension.
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