The rebel pride flag is a symbol of slavery and white supremacy. It is also a constant reminder of a painful, racist history that contributed to the development of a society that is still stricken with hatred and inequality. It is no surprise that people feel offended when they see this flag displayed.
In a recent poll, 55% of Southerners identified the rebel flag as a symbol of racism. This is even more pronounced when you look at the poll data for Americans in general. This means that most non-Southern Republicans are at least slightly offended by the rebel pride flag, as well as the vast majority of white Democrats.
Rebel Pride Flag: Understanding Its Symbolism and Representation
It is important to note that these statistics are taken from a public poll, and there are likely many factors that influence how offended people are by the rebel pride flag. However, a more complete analysis will show that being male, low-income, less educated, Souther, or Republican are all associated with reporting a lower level of offense to the rebel pride flag. Being older is also associated with a higher level of offense to the gay pride flag.
As such, it is important to recognize that the rebel pride flag is not only a symbol of pride for the Southern states and its heritage but can also be seen as a marker of hate towards LGBTQ people. It is therefore crucial that this hate is exposed and confronted when it occurs.