Time has affected and altered the true meanings behind the Confederate Flag. While the flag's original meaning was to symbolize the Confederate States' freedom, from the 1860s to the present day, many new interpretations have surfaced. Some feel the flag symbolizes their heritage and the fallen soldiers who fought for the Confederate States of America. On the other hand, others feel the flag represents racism, white supremacy, and hatred (Briggs). This has been argued because what might be one's heritage is another's slavery and heartbreaking history. This topic brings out an abundance of the various emotions and feelings to those it affects. Placement on the statehouse grounds has also been a main issue behind the controversies and debates over this topic. In today's society, the flag should not uphold the amount of power it once had. The flag has always and will always be a part of South Carolina history. While the flag does not belong or deserve to fly on the statehouse grounds where its presence would continue to make it relevant in today's society, it should be held in a museum exhibit. The Confederate Flag should have one sole purpose today as a symbol of the past. An exhibit would be the ideal place for one to be educated on the Confederate flag and how it has played a spectacular role in many lives and throughout South Carolina history. 

 To secede is to withdraw formally from an alliance, federation, or association, as from a political union or religious organization. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. Lincoln's election immediately formed an issue for the southern states who felt Lincoln's election threatened their way of living, which was based off of slavery. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves in the states of rebellion. Lincoln was a strong supporter of the 13th Amendment which granted freedom to all slaves within the United States ("Lincoln on Slavery"). In Lincoln's Last Public Address, he even recommended that African Americans be allowed the right to vote ("Lincoln's Last Public..."). While Lincoln's public stance on slavery continued to change, he made a great effort to improve the lives of slaves. The seven states of the Deep South that were outraged and made preparations and followed out their plans to secede from the Union were Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. After the Civil War began in 1861, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia also seceded. The new Confederate States of America was formed in February 1861. The goal of these states was to preserve slavery, states' rights, and political liberty for whites ("Confederate States of America").

You can clearly see through the provided information where the controversy over the true meaning of the Confederate Flag began as it was the new symbol of the Confederate States of America (Coski).While some people felt it symbolized their heritage, others felt that it represented the Confederacy and its goals to preserve slavery, states' rights, and political liberty for whites. Issues began to arise as the flag became a symbol against civil rights and in support of Jim Crow's segregation laws. Segregation defenders continued to use the flag as a symbol for their cause. If this wasn't bad enough, the Ku Klux Klan got their hands on the flag which did the most damage to the flag's reputation. African Americans and many others display powerful emotions when it pertains to the flag because of its use by white supremacists ("Video Search on SC Confederate Flag Opinions"). As African Americans began to gain political power, they challenged the use of the flag. When it came to Confederate leaders, they didn't hesitate when it was time for them to state their opinions on slavery and white supremacy. They were full time supporters. While Confederate troops did use the flag to symbolize fallen soldiers on the battlefield, the flag was also used by white supremacists in controversial ways. The flag was used to support the fact that the Confederate states wanted to separate and in their Confederacy, slavery was permitted. The Dixiecrat convention was held in opposition to Harry Truman's advocacy of a civil rights plank in the Democratic Party platform. At this convention, along with the American flag and images of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate flag hoisted high (French). The flag and its many representations continue to cause controversy with people today as their emotions and feelings come into play when deciding what the flag truly stands for. 

Many feel the Confederate flag initially had no place to be flying on the statehouse grounds. It was raised in 1961 to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Civil War and was confirmed a year later by the state legislature (Webster). It is argued that the raising of this flag had a more nefarious purpose. Coincidentally, the Civil Rights Movement was occurring around this time. Many feel the flag was most likely raised to display Southern defiance during the time. This research has proved the significance of the Confederate Flag and how it has played a major role in our state's history. However, the affect it has had is completely different for everyone. The flag offends some and symbolizes pride for others. 

Why the placement of the Confederate Flag at the State House occurred almost a century after the Civil War began is a lingering question that still demands answers. The flag hadn't flown since the Civil War, so why has it made such a comeback? The flag made its reappearance after World War II by the Dixiecrat party who was known to have used the symbol in their campaign (Briggs). In 1962, the state of South Carolina initiated the flying of the Confederate flag at the State Capitol. This bold decision surely caused controversies to continue to arise. Because this event occurred around the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, many were lead to believe the flag was put up in defiance against the federal government and racial equality. The true meaning of the Confederate Flag remained unknown after its placement at the State Capitol. The statement was perceived by many to believe the flag was still relevant. It seemed as if the controversial debate over the Confederate Flag, its true meaning, and the relevancy of its placement would never end. In 2000, a "compromise" or what was meant to seem like a compromise surfaced (Briggs). The Confederate flag was removed from the State House and was placed on the Capitol grounds. However, this movement gave the flag even more power and attention and made it much more visible than before.

A museum is an institution that cares for or conserves a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Placement of the Confederate Flag became just as controversial as the search to discover its true meaning. The Confederate Flag always has and always will be a part of South Carolina history whether it is liked or not. However, when it comes to its display that is a different story. Placement at the State Capitol seemed to make the statement that the Confederate Flag and all it stood for was still relevant. At a place of such high importance for the state, why would this symbol which tears some people down stand so high? The flying of the flag symbolized pride, heritage, racism, and hatred simultaneously. Those who continued to agree with and support the flag were content with the decision while those who disagreed with the flag felt as if the tragic events of history symbolized by the flag were continuously being flown in their faces. Despite what decisions were made, it was almost impossible to please both opposing sides. Creating an exhibit in a museum dedicated to the Confederate Flag and the affect it has played on South Carolina history would be the ideal decision. 

In a museum exhibit, the Confederate Flag would have the opportunity to satisfy both sides of the ongoing controversial debates. Included would be a complete interpretation of the flag, all of the meanings it possesses, and how it has affected history for centuries  For those who support the flag, an exhibit dedicated to teaching how the flag's role has affected South Carolina history would be an understandable, yet questionable decision to make as the flag's current placement caused no issues. However, this decision would be a step in the right direction. It would show how the flag symbolizes fallen soldiers that for some trace back to their family heritage and represents their southern pride (Briggs). For those who are against the flag, this exhibit would mean no longer having to worry about the flag flying high and waving around the negativity it is perceived to carry. History and all of the events that have taken place are set in stone. This exhibit would demonstrate how the flag gives off the negativity that comes along with the topics of race, white supremacy, hatred, and slavery. Everyone has their own personal opinions, feelings, and beliefs when it comes to the Confederate Flag. How can one tell another that their opinions are invalid or their feelings don't matter? Topics such as slavery and racism are difficult to discuss for some, but they are a main part of the history of South Carolina (Webster). They cannot be erased. Therefore, if the Confederate Flag is symbolizing the history of South Carolina which includes these sensitive topics, it shouldn't be flying at a place such as the State House on the Capitol grounds where it has and would continue to offend many citizens. Yes, these topics are a part of history. But, they shouldn't be allowed to fly as a daily reminder that these events took place and are symbolized by this flag. Word of the removal of the Confederate Flag from the Capitol grounds was groundbreaking news and after several failed attempts, the time had finally come. 

The world was shocked to hear that the Confederate Flag was finally being removed providing a muted end to a decades long furor. After all the years of controversy, what finally pulled the trigger for the flag to be removed?  It was the hate crime committed by Dylann Roof at Mother Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church which resulted in the loss of nine innocent lives. The murder was said to have taken place in the name of the Confederacy (Brown). Roof and his photos posing with the Confederate Flag made a powerful statement. Under further investigation, statements of his "hatred for black people" and his violent suggestions of "wanting to hurt a group of people" surfaced (Baeurlin). It is quite unfortunate that it took an event such as this to finally allow people to gain insight into the opposing argument of how the Confederate Flag symbolizes much more than just South Carolina pride and heritage (Chuck and Schuppe). This was a prime example of how people use the flag and interpret it in their own personal ways. At the signing ceremony for the victims, Governor Haley was quoted saying, "It's hard for us to look at what is happening today and not think about what happened 22 days ago." President Obama hailed the removal of the flag and claimed, "It is the beginning signal of goodwill and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future." South Carolina Representative James Clyburn also praised the removal of the flag, saying " ... an era of division is over" (Holpuch). These three political figures all agreed that South Carolina was taking steps in the right direction of standing under one flag, the American Flag.

The debate behind the true meaning of the Confederate Flag remains to be a controversial topic. How can one symbol stand for so many things? Questions and arguments debating if the flag stood for heritage, fallen soldiers, and southern pride versus racism, slavery, hatred, and white supremacy seem to be never ending. To this day, the origination of the Confederate Flag is known, but its "true" meaning will continue to vary from person to person. Reoccurring questions continue to arise such as: Why do people find the flag offensive? Why are people so attached to the flag? Why do some people who embrace the fullness of Southern pride and the Confederate Flag not see themselves as racists (Bauerlin)? A white male probably sees the flag as southern heritage and pride while a black male sees the flag as a constant reminder of slavery and racism. When it comes to the flag, because so much history is involved, it's almost impossible for race not to play a factor in how the flag is perceived. Everyone has their own personal beliefs and interpretations of what the flag means to them. While the flags meaning has been affected and altered over time, the focus began to shift from discovering the true meaning of the Confederate Flag to the questioning of the flags placement. From representing the Confederate States of America, to being the symbol of various groups and political parties, to reappearing over 100 years after the Civil War on the State House and Capitol grounds, the Confederate Flag has definitely made its powerful presence throughout South Carolina history known. It wasn't until after the tragic shooting at Mother Emmanuel AME Church which resulted in nine fatalities that the flag was finally removed from the State House and Capitol grounds. The flag would make the perfect addition to a museum exhibit dedicated to educating people on the Confederate Flag has the role it has played throughout South Carolina history. Despite what we agree and disagree with pertaining to history, it is of the past and can't be changed. However, past mistakes can be used to improve future decisions. Opposed to flying high, the Confederate Flag should be in a special museum where it can be used to its full potential. Flying on the State House Capitol grounds exposed the Confederate Flag to possibly its most powerful peak. In a museum exhibit, the flag could exhilarate even greater power through knowledge by explaining how it symbolizes ALL of South Carolina history: the good, the bad, the wars, the fallen soldiers, the racism, the slavery, the heritage, the pride.

