Debate: Is the confederate flag racist? or is it heritage?
Side: Yes its racest

The south, in general, did not rebel over the slaves being freedExcept - yes, they did. From 'A Declaration of the Causes which Impel the State of Texas to Secede from the Federal Union':"We hold as undeniable truths that the governments of the various States, and of the confederacy itself, were established exclusively by the white race, for themselves and their posterity; that the African race had no agency in their establishment; that they were rightfully held and regarded as an inferior and dependent race, and in that condition only could their existence in this country be rendered beneficial or tolerable.That in this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by our sectional enemies, would bring inevitable calamities upon both and desolation upon the fifteen slave-holding States."-----From 'A Declaration of the Immediate Causes which Induce and Justify the Secession of the State of Mississippi from the Federal Union':"Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery-- the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun. These products have become necessities of the world, and a blow at slavery is a blow at commerce and civilization. That blow has been long aimed at the institution, and was at the point of reaching its consummation. There was no choice left us but submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin."-----From 'Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union':"an increasing hostility on the part of the non-slaveholding States to the institution of slavery, has led to a disregard of their obligations, and the laws of the General Government have ceased to effect the objects of the Constitution.""The right of property in slaves was recognized by giving to free persons distinct political rights, by giving them the right to represent, and burthening them with direct taxes for three-fifths of their slaves; by authorizing the importation of slaves for twenty years; and by stipulating for the rendition of fugitives from labor.""This sectional combination for the submersion of the Constitution, has been aided in some of the States by elevating to citizenship, persons who, by the supreme law of the land, are incapable of becoming citizens; and their votes have been used to inaugurate a new policy, hostile to the South, and destructive of its beliefs and safety."-----From the 'Constitution of the Confederate States of America':"No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves shall be passed.""1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states, and shall have the right of transit and sojourn in any state of this Confederacy, with their slaves and other property: and the right of property in said slaves shall not be thereby impaired.""the institution of negro slavery as it now exists in the Confederate States, shall be recognized and protected by Congress, and by the territorial government: and the inhabitants of the several Confederate States and Territories, shall have the right to take to such territory any slaves lawfully held by them in any of the states or territories of the Confederate states."The Emancipation Proclamation was in fact put forth during the Civil War...I, of course, said nothing to the contrary.The North was not attempting to free slaves, but was rather attempting to limit the expansion of slavery in order to let it die out.Lincoln campaigned on eliminating slavery (constitutionally). Upon his election, the south began to secede. Lincoln's then immediate goal was preservation of the Union."If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that." - Lincoln, Letter to Horace Greeleyit's perfectly reasonable for it to be kept as a symbol of ones heritageit's perfectly reasonable for it to be kept as a symbol of one's racist heritage - fixed that for you...this is coming from a northernerAnd this is coming from a southerner who lived there, has been to re-enactments, and met people who own every different confederate flag there was. Many now will just say they like the idea of Southern Pride (even saw a black guy wearing the confederate flag once), but to deny slavery as THE MAIN factor of the civil war is the true revisionism.See alsoAnd