We're currently trying to evaluate the claim that it is/is not reasonably foreseeable that the Confederate Battle Flag would create a hostile atmosphere. As part of that, we were researching the ways in which the flag has been used - which groups used it and when, what it symbolized at the time, and how it was interpreted through its history.
All of you wrote about the history of the flag's design during the Civil War in the U.S., and its use by the then Confederate States of America during that war. A few of you mentioned in passing that the flag was used since then by various hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan and other White Supremacist groups.
The flag's use has a much longer history, though, as it came to be employed again in the 1940s as a symbol of opposition to integration and civil rights. One student included that history in the assignment, and I would argue that that information contributes significantly to our development of the question at issue.
For your forum assignment, answer BOTH questions below. You should write at least one substantial paragraph for each question.
1. How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
2. What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand? (if you included substantial history about the use of the flag in the early 20th century, please write about what steps you took that helped you find this information.)
Anthony Lopez-
ReplyDelete1. My thoughts and knowledge of the confederate flag have developed in a way. Before researching the confederate flag i felt that the flag could represent whatever one would want it to. It could mean something positive to one person and negative to another. Its their choice, why worry what someone else thinks? After researching the flag i realized that this is not the case. i read and understood what the flag represented and what it meant and why it was created along with all the negativety around it. By researching the topic of the flag it really helped me figure out the arguement at hand and be able to develop my knowledge on the subject matter.
2. There are plenty of steps i can take in the future to improve my research and allow me to get more knowledge on the subject. For one, i can give myself more time to research and record, instead of procrastinating until the last minute and rushing. I can also research various information sources so i can compare the research and gain a better more accurate view of the subject. Another way i can improve my research learning is by using online databases that are credited on the subject. And with factual information i can then take the time and record my findings in an organized precise way.
Emily Fong-
ReplyDelete1. I have definitely learned more about the Confederate flag after researching about it. Before, I thought that it was just another flag in the United States. Now, I can understand why Sondra was so offended when Corinne wanted to display the flag in the room. On the other hand, I can also see why Corinne wants to hang up her flag with pride. It is perfectly normal for both students to have a different point on the issue due to their difference in cultural background. Perhaps, the best way to solve the problem is to come up with a compromise.
2. There are many ways I can improve my research skills. One way would be to use more sources so I can confirm some of the information that I am unsure about. Another would be to give myself enough time to do the research so I can cover every detail when researching about a topic.
How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
ReplyDeleteI feel that those who see it as a symbol of pride are ignorant of its true meaning and because of this hold a belief that if we don't talk about it - it doesn't exist. When I was a teen we would watch the "Dukes of Hazzard", their signature symbol was the rebel flag and we all thought it was cool. My uncle owned a truck - a red Ford (American made), black roll bar, bright bar lights, and a rebel flag license plate on the front - so everyone would know a TRUE AMERICAN was coming. It was cool and big. My uncle did not choose to be informed as to what that license plate meant. At this time in my life I find if offensive. It honestly turns my stomach when someone tells me how important "Southerners are more polite and respectful". Bull hockey. Take a look at your history and tell me how polite and respectful people were during that era.... to EVERYONE.
2. What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand? (if you included substantial history about the use of the flag in the early 20th century, please write about what steps you took that helped you find this information.)
I have trouble seperating out the important information. I list all my information. I am still learning how to organize my information and put it into a cohisive argument that make sense. One specific way I can improve my skills is to have it reviewed by peers and teachers - to have it critiqued.
1. How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
ReplyDeleteWhen first initiating my research of the Confederate Battle flag what I found does not validate it being a symbol of a non-hostile environment. Over the years the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag has changed, not that this is a meaning of or can be seen as a non-hostile situation but a meaning of sadness in the areas that it stood for in the past. There are some groups that still maintain its true meaning and value symbolizing it as a “reminder” of the separation of a class of people as in a social status. To change the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag, as in Corrine’s case, could be seen as a validation for those who do not have a reason for seeing the Confederate Battle flag for anything other than a badge of honor of morals, values, ethics, and beliefs.. Seeing it in any other way would open old wounds of sadness as to the true nature of such. As it is said, “ the old shall pass away to make room for the new,” this cliché is a way of saying change the old colonial stance of slavery to the new meaning of freedom for all people.
2. What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand? (if you included substantial history about the use of the flag in the early 20th century, please write about what steps you took that helped you find this information.)
During the 60’s the time of the “revolution” for freedom I did my fair share to eliminate any faction of the Confederate Battle flag and its meaning. I feel as Sondra does in the meaning of such a thing, it symbolized the hardships my ancestors had to endure during the time of its construction. To more fully expound on the Confederate Battle flag I could have not only utilized the internet, but the campus library as well as the City of Richmond’s library. My research would have included utilizing the online catalog (OPAC) using a keyword search, a subject search and utilizing subheadings. To further this research I would have utilized dictionaries (abridged and unabridged, subject and electronic), almanacs (The World Almanac and Book of facts, encyclopedias (general and subject) periodicals and periodicals indexes, primary and secondary sources and bias. In using bias as a resource I am utilizing information as to whether it is bases on facts, theory, opinion, propaganda, or fiction.
1. Before doing research on the Confederate Battle flag, I didn't have any strong feelings or thoughts about what it meant or symbolized. I had been taught that it was offensive to African Americans and that the Ku Klux Klan used it, but I never put in the effort to look up information or the background history of the flag. It was like any other flag I have seen. After researching the history and use of the flag, I have learned a substantial bit of information about it. My thoughts have not changed about the flag, however I am glad that I have come away with some knowledge about something that is a part of my deep rooted American history.
ReplyDelete2. Next time I am doing research I can do three things to better my findings and learn important facts about the issue at hand. I can look at several different sources, so that they can provide me with different viewpoints of the subject I am researching. I can take more time researching everything about the subject, so that I can sort through what will be useful and what I need to do further research on. Lastly, I can reach out to others that are conducting the same research to see if I am on the right track and if there is something I have overlooked. I won't be able to research every single thing on an issue, but these three steps will certainly help me get an adequate amount of research accomplished.
1. As I gain more information about the history of the flag and its use, my critical thinking develops because I can develop sound judgment in the given context. Firstly, equipped knowledge provides me with and a chance to reconsider judgments and new evidences to support my arguments. For example, when I know that the flag was a symbol of opposition into integration and civil right, I can understand that it doesn’t represent either the best or the worst of any races, but it represents a yearning for liberty, freedom, and independence of all Americans at the time. It was a symbol of everyone who worked and fought for peace. Secondly, without the knowledge of history and the use of the flag, we often get a personal approach that is based on our current feeling and thinking. As a result, we easily come up with a biased perspective. Therefore, reasons and evidences foster our self-confidence and develop a more objective view on the issue. Therefore, I can argue that neither Sandra nor Corrine were aware of their bias in their own judgments on the flag as well as each other. So, I cannot be in favor of either one of them. There should have been an interlocutor to help them reach a compromise with good reasons and evidences.
ReplyDelete2.
Next time, when I do a research, I will use these steps to improve my research effectiveness:
At first, I define requirement of the topic which is the background information for supporting arguments. Then base on that, I can develop some relevant keywords and phrases to search on Google and library databases. When I have found the articles, journals and books I need, I check the bibliography so that I can find other potential sources for my research. Then, I list them down, skip over them and narrow down the topic to get the specific viewpoint and enough information to support it. In choosing the source material which should be fairly recent, as I find information from an author that fits my topic and arguments but that is too outdated, I would search for his name and information on internet so that I can come up with more of his potential recent sources. If I could not find any other good sources under his name, I will come to ask the librarian to help me get it.
1. I had known very little about the Confederate Flag and its history. I had not known that there were different symbols and meanings that associated with the flag. As I gain further information about the Confederate Battle Flag's history and use, I began to formulate my own thoughts. With the newer knowledge I had obtained about the flag, I had developed a greater understanding of the Confederate Flag as a symbol of various different symbols that are both seen as positive or negative. However, since the most recent view of the Confederate Flag, I believe that the flag has developed to be seen as more negative.
ReplyDelete2. To improve my research, I plan on doing several essential steps:
First, I will look at multiple websites that explain the same information so that I can confirm the facts to be true. Next, I will refer to the two major steps of research mentioned in class to help me work more efficiently. I will also allow myself enough time to do the research rather than rushing at the last minute.
Mary S.
ReplyDeleteSince I didn't know much about the Confederate Flag, while reading the book, I thought to myself, why won't Corinne just be considerate of Sondra's feelings and take down the flag, or at least put a smaller flag up. To Corinne, the history of the flag is very important to her, but to Sondra, the flag is a horrible remembrance of her ancestors. After doing some research on the Confederate Flag, I know why Corinne had so much pride in having her flag posted up. I've gained a better understanding on the different views of what the flag symbolizes to different cultures.
By listing out all the research that needs to be done, I can simple go to the school database and google to look up different articles and compare them with each one to see if they both give the same information. Once I've gathered the information that's been needed, I can compare them with what my group has come up with and collaborate with one another.
Jenya Jawad
ReplyDelete1. Through the research I have done I see the Confederate Flag in a more complex way than I had previously. I knew it was the flag for the South during the Civil War and that it is used now days in films or images that want to portray white supremecy.however through what I'm reading and learning I know there to be a lot more information behind the subject. I feel that my understanding and evaluating of the information as well as the case between the two girls is becoming better formulated.
2. I think that my knowledge base was off some because I did not find much information on the current uses of the flag other than bias opinion websites. There could have been more research done on my part for that. It would have helped broaden my understanding of the contemporary issue. Also based off of what we discussed in class, I think citing my research would have been very important.
1.The first thing that comes into my mind about the Confederate Battle flag involves the southern states, the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacy, slavery, and many other negative aspects during the time of the Civil War. As I gain further information about the flag, I found that my thinking developed to a more considerate understanding about the representation of the flag. That the flag symbolizes many positives aside from what I originally thought about. I made many assumptions until I started this research. Now I understand that the Confederate flag has many different meanings to many different people depending where they are from. I found out that the more information I gain improves my thinking and understanding about issues before prejudging.
ReplyDelete2. I think the step that I must take to improve my research is not only dig through important historic documents about certain issues but to think about both sides of an issue before making assumptions and also without being bias. I can also look for many opinions from many people to support these claims in which my research issue stands on. The steps I toke to help me with my information was to consider both sides of the issue and then to find supporting evidence to these issues to better understand the issue.
1. How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
ReplyDeleteI realized my thinking was one dimensional. I only viewed the symbol of the flag as possible representations of right and wrong. But it is much more than that. The battle flag was not just a symbol of battle units or distinction of Southern troups or Northern troups but of a belief. The Confederate battle flag was a representation of the core beliefs that all southerners fought for. It was a symbol in which people could rally to and unit in their beliefs. As all symbols have become, they evolve from a singularity to encompass much more.
2. What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand? (if you included substantial history about the use of the flag in the early 20th century, please write about what steps you took that helped you find this information.)
To discover more facts, my research must be broadened to not just the internet. It is unfortunate to say that most types of research now involves the internet. But I think to gather more facts I could go to historical sites to gather information. Find any still living war veterans or descendants and interview them and see what they have to say.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1) I never knew much of the Confederate Battle Flag, I always believed the flag manly stood for the union of the South during the civil war. I would see and hear people speak negatively about and it ties to the KKK , but it never affected me. As I researched , I soon realized why Sondra was so offended by seeing the flag hanged on the wall. Its negative background of the flag reminds Sondra of her ancestry. I believe I understand the information i gathered from researching to better evaluate this situation between the two girls.
ReplyDelete2) A great step I need to overcome is procrastination. This manly causes me to not pay close attention to where im researching; especially when Im using google.com. I should focus on using more of the databases we are aloud to use and I should compare information with different pages to see if they are similiar
Sakina Sumandal,
ReplyDeleteThe confederate flag to was a symbol of hatred and evilness and for all those who thought it was a symbol pride are ignorant and blind to the true history behing the battle flag. Not only was the flag used by white suprimises like the KKK, but it was also used in warefare so the general's could tell their men from their opponents. Thousand's of innocent blood was shed in the war that the flag represented which was built on the back bone of slavery and and unequality for all men. The war had a lot to do with trade, money, whose land belonged to whom, and who was the richest with the most slaves and most land. For all those who thought that flag was built on good values alone were plain wrong and deeply, sadly mistaken. Because that flag screams oppression!
Next time I could look through more articles and old books about the Confederate Flag. I could also do a little more research online, and I want make sure I write down all my resources so I don't have to go back and look where I got my information from. Finally I could go ask maybe some teachers if they may know any info about the flag or even a classmate because they may have caught something that I didn't. Asking others for help is always benefical in the long run for both parties I say.
#1
ReplyDeleteBefore doing any researching, the Confederate Battle flag was something I personally had no interest in. To me, it was just any other flag. But to a certain extent, I kind of figured that the Confederate Battle Flag had some affiliation with racism. Given the fact that many different racist groups out there represents the flag with such pride. And me personally knowing so little about the flag, it didn't accured to me that the confederate flag has so much affect on African Americans. But after doing some researching, I can understand why Sondra felt and reacted the way she did. I'm surprised she didn't rip it off the wall right then and there.
#2
Procrastination is a habbit I need to get rid of. If I can learn how not to procrastinate, it would definitely be a lot more helpful to do my research. I need to take more time out and really concentrate on the stuff I'm researching on. As you can see, it's 3:45am and I just finally got my post up!
1.) Before doing any research on the confederate flag I had no idea what that flag was. I din't even know how it looked like. However, after reading the story flag day and read the conflict that Corinne and Sondra had it made me realize that the flag was no good for some people. Also, I did not know how much this flag affected African Americans because of slavery in the past. Furthermore, now I know why Sondra felt discriminated by just looking at the flag.
ReplyDelete2.)There a few steps I can do to improve my research. One would be to write down were I got my information right on the spot, because I tend to log off the page then I forget were I got it from when it comes to citing the page. Also, I can use books, magazines etc and not only the internet. I usually like to do my work the easy way instead of going to a library and see what other information I can get from there. Finally I can interview others and see what information I can get from them to see different point of views.
1. Before this assignment i knew that the Confederate flag had some negative meaning tored the African Americans but with doing my research i have found that in some ways it is a pride thing for the South and a remembrance of there heritage but it also represents racism, i never knew the Confederate flag was used with the klu klux klan that right there tells you it is a representation of racism and hate.
ReplyDelete2. Some steps i can make to better my research next time is really dig down and get the information don't just settle with what information the internet is giving me i can so to the library and read actual documents or read books that have the actual facts in them instead of looking on the internet and reading peoples thoughts on what they think the Confederate flag stood for or stands for and lastly i can not procrastinate i can start the research right away so i have plenty of time to understand and know what I'm talking about
1) Before researching, I did not have much knowledge of the confederate flag. After checking different pages, I did not know that this flag still impacts a lot of people after all these years. After reading both side to the history of the flag i could see the both sides to the story. At firs I was leaning towards Sondra side, no matter what corrine had said about it. i was not thinking about corrine's part until after i did the research. Now i could see where they both come from. Sondra sees the flag as a constant reminder of slavery from back in the day. Corrine sees it as the era after slavery when the south was all about courtesy. Now i am in between both.
ReplyDelete2)Something that could help me with research would be to look around more, because i tend to just click the first thing that pops out for that topic. Another thing would be to see both side of the story for the topic. Also to make sure my resources are reliable.
1. How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
ReplyDeleteAfter further research about the history and use of the Confederate Battle Flag, I came to a deeper understanding that the flag has somehow been misused as it represented a sense of racism and hostility. For example, the racist group KKK (Ku Klux Klan) employed the flag as if it were their christian cross, their symbol of belief. They burned down the US flag and tried to connect the Confederate Battle Flag to their propaganda which is racist, violent actions toward Black community from the South. However, in looking closer to the history, the flag represents all Southerners and even Northern Confederates from states such as Ohio, Illinois,etc who sympathized the South and who even tried to fight against racist group like the KKK to form their own nation of equality to everyone. In fact, Confederate Indians, Hispanics, Blacks, and Whites obtained Confederate pensions after the War and attended Confederate veterans' reunions together, year after year, just as they had suffered and fought together during the War.
To sum up my point of view, The Confederate battle flag represents all Confederates, regardless of race or religion, and is the symbol of less government, less taxes, and the right of a people to govern themselves. Regardless of its misconception of violence and its misuse to represent racism, the flag is flown in memory and honor of our Confederate ancestors and veterans who willingly shed their blood for Southern independence.
2.What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand?
There are many steps that need to be constantly to improve my research skills. First of all-in should take more time to research and pay attention to read the issue instead of rushing till to the last minutes. Second, trying to look up some several articles that also mention about the same topic. I prefer this step because I think it s the best way to figure out some kind of various details come from different sources so that I can compare answers with each other and select them carefully to satisfy the research.
Kayla Sanders :
ReplyDelete1Q. How does your thinking develop about the meaning of the Confederate Battle flag as a symbol, as you gain further information about its history and use?
1A. The thinking and my opinion that molds as this topic is brought up in class is that this flag was used to mark the 'attempted' seperation from a country - a failed attempt, but an attempt no less. But not only was it a failed attempt at seperation, it was due to the meanings behind the seperation. So they didn't want slaves freed - and felt they had to take matters into their own hands as a mark of a flag. Even though the meaning behind the flag has changed for some, it still has it's history. The Confederate flag could stand for the pretty manners and the way you raise your children proper to some, but honestly it's something so much deeper and darker than that. With being nuetral - I see both sides, South wanted freedom and the North wanted equality for all.
2Q. What specific steps can you take next time to improve your research, so that you're more likely to learn important facts about the issue at hand? (if you included substantial history about the use of the flag in the early 20th century, please write about what steps you took that helped you find this information.)
2A. Simple steps that could be taken to improve my history knowledge and facts about a certain topic would be to easily search up a reputtable search engine on the internet or go to the local library and simply pick up a book on the matter. We're constantly trying to find our way around doing the research because for some it's just too much of a pain and hassle, when in all honesty - it's the best way to get the information that you need to get by and such. Checking out museums is also a bonus - you get a fieldtrip, get to learn and visit new places all while getting the history and facts you need about said topics that need to be researched on.
1. At first, I thought the Confederate flag stood as a symbol for those who did not like blacks and still believed that we should be oppressed. However, now that I have learned more about the flag I know do not think that everyone who displays the flag is a racist. However, I would not exclude the option either until I learn the reason for the display of the flag because, the Confederacy themselves also believed in oppression. However, they too, may be ignorant about the history of the Confederacy, just as I was ignorant about what the flag stood for before it was misused. Well, I would not say completely misused because of what the Confederacy stood for. Moreover, they display the flag as a symbol for their pride in the south or their ancestors. However, most reasonable people know that the flag is offensive. Therefore, they should take into consideration the feelings of others and display it in their home out of the view of others. However, I do understand that they may come from a different place. In California, it is extremely diverse, well in the Bay Area at least. In other places, it is majority white, the person may not have had many encounters with other races, and their community is more excepting of the Confederate flag. They also may not have had a chance for the stereotypes to be disproved, especially if their only knowledge of others races is from what is displayed on television which is full of stereotypes. I guess I can would try to put myself in the other person’s shoes, not saying that I would not be offended. I will give them a chance to tell me their reasoning if they will give me the same respect to tell my reasoning for intentionally finding it offensive. In addition, when there are rallies with people displaying the Confederate flag there are never any people of color at the rallies. Why is that? There are plenty of blacks and people of other color groups in the south, those who are proud of their heritage and proud of being from the south. This makes me question the motion that the flag stands for pride for many.
ReplyDelete2. I honestly thought I took good steps in finding the good information. However, I did not look up opposing viewpoints of the Confederate flag, which would have been great to learn about. In addition, I would have looked in books because most of the information on the web was repetitive. I believe my procrastination limited my resources and next time I should do the research, not the day before its due, but the day I receive the assignment.
1.As I gain further information about the confederate flag, I just see it as a symbol of segregation. I don't feel that there is any hidden meanings. Since it was used in battle to keep segregation, I don't see any other meanings it can have in the South other than that. There's still a lot of racism in the South and I feel that saying the flag is a symbol of Southern pride is just an excuse to keep the flag around.
ReplyDelete2.To improve my research in the future, I will look up more resources. I will take more time to do this instead of just looking up a few articles. I will also take more notes to write a more accurate paper.
1. So, I researched more about the confederate I came to learn about it more and that it didn't always stand for what we see at as today. I thought it was a flag that symbolized racism. But, actually researched and found out it stood for Saint Andrews cross. Unfortunately taking in by groups as the KKK to represent for what they stand for. So, I can see why Sondra would feel offended by her roommate hanging the flag in the room, but then again to Corrine it stood for something else, but the way that Corrine's parents reacted when they saw Sondra in the room just makes it seem that the her believes of the confederate flag are for the wrong reasons.
ReplyDelete2. Steps that I would take to improve my research is to just keep searching for more detailed information. Looking up on websites that aren't bias because i ran across a few websites that went straight to the point saying the confederate flag stands for racism in the south. I feel like my research was pretty good. I didn't just go off with the first websites that came up first, but looked at a couple and see what each said and compared.
Risha Chand
ReplyDelete1) My understanding developed a lot after researching on the confederate flag. Honestly the only fact I knew about the flag was that it was a symbol for the unification of the 13 colonies. After researching about the flag it amazed me to find out that the banner was used for so many different purposes. From the war to racist groups, the flag has been a representation for many different people. But altogether it comes down to how the flag was a symbol of segregation.
2) In future instances I can improve my researching abilities by using a few different sites instead of using just one that has a lot of information, just to verify whether it's legit or not. I can also use the libraries data base because it has access to a lot of sources that are really strong but on the world wide web people have to pay to get obtain such sources. I can also improve my researching abilities by asking people that were there when the situation occurred just to get a more personal opinion.
1. Before i researched the confederate flag, i thought it was just a southern thing and didnt think too much of it. I think i just sterotyped people that associated with the flag as ignorant southeners.now that ive done some research about the flag i can see why people choose to support the flag but i can also see why other people would thin that the flag is offensive.
ReplyDelete2. I think that doing more in depth research will help me improve my research skills. I think that if i used more that one source for information i could get more unbiased information about the subject that im researching.
1. The Confederate Battle flag has been the center of debate in newspapers, cities, states, books, movies, and more for a long time now. It is the topic of a lot of history and Civil War classes, and for the longest time, I have thought of that flag to be the symbol of oppression in the U.S.A.. I have always thought of that flag as being offensive. After researching the history of the flag, my opinion really has not changed. I was surprised to learn of its use in World War 2.
ReplyDelete2. The best thing I can do to improve my research is give myself more time to research! I could use different resources to look up information, and I could think of different ways to look up information. Ask the right questions, run the right searches on the internet, etcetera. Compare sources of information to cross check for accuracy. I can look for people that are well versed on the particular subject I am researching. I can always improve the way I work in general.
As an International student, I had very little idea about the intricate details of American history. Besides, the chivalry and rich Southern Heritage claimed by Corrine, I did not know that the Confederate Flag was also used by groups like KKK as a symbol of segregation. It was also used as a representation of the unification of the 13 colonies in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteTo do better research, I should prevent procastination so that I'll have enough time to rearrange my ideas and also put questions to myself. Likewise, we should do enough research so that our paper does not reflect bias or miss out on any important arguments. We should also try to use reliable sources like the school's databases and authentic sources.