One point for students opposed to the flag, which they can research, is
When exactly the flag was reintroduced into American culture.  I think
they will discover that most of the southern states which incorporated
the flag into their state flags, and most southern states which started
to fly the flag, did so *AFTER* the decision in Brown v. Board of Ed.
That is, the flag became a symbol of hostility to integration and a
support for segregation.  Even those "lost cause" fanatics who insist
that secession was not about slavery (the "cornerstone of the
Confederacy" and Confed. V.P. Alexander H. Stephens put it), will have
to admit that the revival of the flag was about segregation and racial
oppression.

Paul Finkelman

--
Paul Finkelman
Chapman Distinguished Professor
University of Tulsa College of Law
3120 East 4th Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma  74104-2499

918-631-3706 (office)
918-631-2194 (fax)

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Anne Pemberton wrote:
> Folks,
>
>     I am teaching a high school senior government class this semester and
> last week started weekly debates which will continue until the students have
> exhausted all interesting topics. Two classes for this week have chose the
> topic of the Confederate Flag and whether or not it should be allowed on
> apparel worn by high school students. This was prompted by the Channel One
> newscast on Monday about a controversy over the same issue in a Florida
> school.
>     The two classes have formed teams and chose their speakers. Now they
> must research the topic before the debate on Friday.
>
>     If any of you can suggest pros or cons on the issue that have useful web
> sites appropriate for use by high schoolers, I hope you will share them with
> me at [log in to unmask] I know that those in favor of wearing the symbol
> will talk about Southern Heritage, and I would especially like any help for
> the cons on how this symbol has been used or involved in hate crimes, etc.
> in the past. I know it has, in general, but I would like to see the kids
> learn about specifics.
>
>     Thanks for any help.
>
> Anne
>
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