Tony Horwitz examines the Confederates in the attic by looking at the events that transpired in America during the Civil war. Horwitz believes that Civil war is not over in that the Northern American states have a different perspective compared to the South and this has been the case for a long time (Horwitz 61). It is important to know that most Northern states supported the end of slavery whereas the South did not want to end slave trade. As a result, this is of the escapades that sparked the Civil war in the 19th century. Most white southerners were members of the Ku Klux Klan that took pride in waving the confederate flag and oppressing the African Americans who were used as slaves (Horwitz 152). This paper seeks to examine the symbolic significance of flying a confederate flag in the South and how its meaning has brought about controversy to many Americans.
First, it is crucial to note that the Confederate flag was originally used to show southern rebellion towards the United States constitution. This rebellion brought about a divide between the South and the Northern states in the US such that the confederates were fighting with the US government (Horwitz 18). The Confederate flag was waived by the Southern states to reject the abolition of slavery in the country. This means that the North and the Southern states have a complete different perspective on the issue. Horwitz indicates that this sense of pride has been carried on by many generations in the South by hanging and recognizing the Confederation flag in meetings and public properties (Horwitz 56). The South adopted the Confederation flag because they felt that the US constitution was taking away their rights to keep slaves. Hence the fact that they rebelled and fought during the Civil war as it portrayed the Southerners was brave enough to defend their rights and heritage from the US government (Horwitz 8-10). It is a paradox that the southerners who used the Confederation flag to represent the southern heritage, despite the fact that that their ancestors were slave holders and that one set of race, African Americans, were being oppressed in the process. However, looking at the confederation concentration camp where more than 13,000 Confederation union troops perished, one can understand the sentiments shared by the people who take pride in the confederate flag (Horwitz 34). Horwitz indicates that he was shocked at how the Museum made the crime against humanity through genocide appears justifiable. Thus, Horwitz share the southerners’ sentiments when they hang the flag a symbol of recognition to the soldiers that died in the concentration camps (Horwitz 35). Henry Wirz was the man who initiated the killing of 13,000 people and he was celebrated by the US government for his achievements. Given the fact that Wirz is seen as a hero in the eyes of the US government for killing troops of soldiers in the concentration camp, the Confederationists can use the flag as a symbol of honoring those that perished (Horwitz 34-37).
Horwitz tries to research if it is possible for Confederacy to wave their flag without being named racist or seen as the right-wing (Horwitz 121). The author gives a story as to how he admired the bravery of the South to fight against the US government, which was overwhelmingly strong. He indicates that he was liberal Jewish boy and followed closely the conflict between these two parties (Horwitz 15). To the people in the south, they were fighting for their rights. They were fighting for the right to continue oppressing the African Americans and subdue them into harsh labor. This was social injustice in that African Americans had a right to equal treatments and enjoy their human rights. Thus, I do not think there would be a middle ground between these two groups.
States such as Maryland and Delaware have navigated the secession successfully (Horwitz 76-77). This was due to the fact that citizens in these states had mixed reactions in that they did not secede from Confederacy but some emancipated the slaves. This divided loyalty among the citizen made it hard for the US government to push some citizens to emancipate the citizens. The District of Columbia is another state that enjoyed cheap and free labor from the slaves (Horwitz 77). These states did not attempt to secede throughout the war but the slaves were compensated after the war by the US government as shows of good faith. This compensation of the slaves was as a result of some citizens refusing to grant freedom to their slaves.
In conclusion, Horwitz writes stories of what happened during the Civil war and examines people’s rights to carry the confederation flag. White Southerners believe that the rebel flag demonstrates their heritage and shows a sense of pride. To some extent, this can be efficient because 13,000 confederate soldiers were killed mercilessly by the US government. However, looking from an African America perspective, the flag depicts slavery and oppression of their race by the white race. This is evident in that the South did not want the slaves to be free and enjoy equal human rights as them. In addition, the Confederation flag was used to oppose the civil rights movement that African Americans marched to fight for their human rights.
Works Cited
Horwitz, Tony. Confederates in the attic: dispatches from the unfinished Civil War. New York: Pantheon Books, 1998. Print.
