Originally posted by Adrift
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Speaking for myself, the racial/slavery component associated with the Confederate Flag had never been a right or left issue. Before this current brouhaha, as far back as I can remember, just about every opinion of a friend or acquaintance was relatively negative. I think I knew a couple people from the South who did not hold a negative view of the flag, but they weren't chomping at the bit to defend it either. They understood that people took issue with it, and they understood why. Again, the only people I ever knew of (in the North at least) who were pro-Confederate flag (in that, they'd have it hanging in their window or waving off the back of their trucks) were hardcore racists, and hillbillies.
I used to love Dukes of Hazzard. Watched it pretty religiously as a kid. Growing up, I rarely tuned it in. Thought it was kinda juvenile and silly. I thought the movies sucked. I never thought of the show as explicitly racist. The characters, at least, were not explicitly racist. As a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s, I didn't have any idea what the Stars and Bars were, and had no idea who General Lee was. As an adult I remember thinking that it was a bit peculiar to name a car after a general of the Confederacy, and I did question the use of the flag atop its roof, but I again, I didn't really associate the show with racism.
The show is about a bunch of Southern hicks. It's probably not so out there to imagine a couple good ol' boys driving around like maniacs, breaking the law, and doing all sorts of mischief. Nor was it unlikely that some small hick town had corrupt cops and mayor. But it was fantasy. I didn't connect it to the larger racial issue that the Confederate flag was associated with. I still don't. And I don't think that's hypocritical. I think the Dukes of Hazzard being cancelled because of this whole situation is ridiculous. I think it is a step too far.
But I still think it's right that the flag be lowered from state buildings.
And I think that Walmart should leave it up to their own consciences whether or not they want to stop selling the flag if they think that, long term, it sends the wrong message. I just don't think the Duke Boys ever sent that wrong message.
In a weird kind of way, though, they're "discriminating" against those who would want to buy a Confederate flag. (joke, kind of)
As far a the Cosby Show goes, I also don't think of that as a right or left issue. I mean, it breaks my heart that a guy I always admired growing up is turning out to be a terrible person. I think the question, "is it appropriate to continue to syndicating his show given his past?" is a legitimate one, and one that I think many people regardless of political opinion will be asking.
Just PLEASE don't tell me that Andy Griffith was a bad guy!
I don't think there'd be any doubt if it turned out that, say, Mr. Rogers turned out to be a serial rapist, that we'd never see his program on the air anymore, but maybe the rules are different for child performers.
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