The confederate flag is completely offensive considering what the ideals of the people behind it entailed, however displaying it is a valid expression of free speech. I don't think everyone who displays it is a racist person, but it's certainly a troubling sign of character that one is so devoted to a specific region of the country. It pretty much signals to me that the person will be completely unreasonable about any form of thinking that doesn't come from the American South. It denotes a kind of willful close-mindedness and prejudice towards those who aren't from their region, under the guise of "pride".
There is, of course, nothing wrong with honoring your ancestors who may have died in that awful conflict. Many of those who fought on either side did not reflect the values held by their commanders. A lot of confederates were just good men who died young.
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