Heritage Or Hate: The Debate Around The Confederate Flag

In a time of profound political polarization, the Confederate Flag remains a divisive topic. The remnants of the Confederacy are still shaping society today. And the flag means vastly different things to different people. 

To some, the flag represents years of hatred, hardships, oppression and the fight for equality. To others, it is pride and a celebration of cultural heritage. Here are some of their stories.

Jarvis Rosier

Jarvis Rosier recalls the struggle of growing up in the segregated South. He explains during the civil rights era, Florida had more lynchings per capita than any other state. He remembers hearing stories of the so-called "Hanging Tree" outside the Florida Capitol.

He, like his brothers and father, fought in the military. Rosier says African Americans have made great strides toward equality, but sees generations before racism is eradicated in America.

Listen to Jarvis Rosier describe his father's struggles with racism in the military.

Kelly Crocker

Kelly Crocker sees the flag as a tribute to his ancestors who fought in the Civil War. He says hate groups have stolen the true meaning of the Confederate flag. The Sons of Confederate Veterans have a strict anti-discrimination policy. In fact, Crocker notes, they even tried to patent the flag so hate groups couldn't use it.

Though slavery is often cited as the main cause of the Civil War, Crocker pushes back against that notion. He says it's about unfair tariffs and taxation. Crocker says the Confederacy should be honored because Confederate veterans are American veterans.

Listen to Kelly Crocker explain his view that Confederate Veterans are American veterans.

Dale Landry

Dale Landry saw the Ku Klux Klan parading through Panama City as a child. He remembers the Civil Rights era as a violent time of intense racial tension. For Landry, the Confederate flag brings back so many of those memories.

As the president of the Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP, Landry fought to preserve Confederate monuments. He acknowledges the Confederacy has a place in America, but that place is in history.

Listen to Dale Landry speak about working to relocate Confederate monuments in Tallahassee.

HK Edgerton

HK Edgerton is a vocal proponent of Confederate heritage. He says the Confederate flag represents all people of the south - free or slave. Edgerton argues African Americans fought for the Confederacy as well.

Edgerton doesn't support hate groups using the flag, but acknowledges he and groups like the KKK both trace their heritage to the Confederacy.

Edgerton argues African Americans should "thank God" they were brought to the U.S. during the slave trade. He claims the entire world participated in slavery, yet the blame is pinned on Southern white men.

Listen to HK Edgerton speak about slavery.

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