Need Advice/Opinions-Confederate Flag.

[smbolisnch]

Just a question....I'd appreciate your opinions on this. I work at the mall. Sunday morning before the mall opened, we had a meeting. I walked around the corner to go into my store, and there was a new kiosk set up right across the hall, with confederate flags hanging all over it. Some are plain, some say "ain't coming down" (yes, really) and some say "redneck" (again, really).

When I first saw this, the mall wasn't open yet, so there was nobody there. Again this morning when I went in to work, nobody there. I thought about it all day b/c I can see them hanging there from in my store, and it just pisses me off. I decided that I would go up and "admire" them, and when they asked me if I needed help I would ask if they came with pointy white hats and a 21st century guide to being the best bigot you can be-or what??? By the time my shift was over, I was ready to go and make a scene. I walked out of the store, and the people running the booth were a old. I mean, old, and they looked like my grandparents or something. They didn't look like they were the "sweet" little old people though. The lady had on acid washed jeans and a sweatshirt with a flag that said these colors don't run. She had a pissed off look on her face too. I was so shocked I just kept walking and decided I would ask you all for your opinions.

I really don't even know what I want to say, but I am so offended by this. So is my African American co-worker who is forced to look at it. She is so shy and quiet, I can't imagine her ever saying a word about it. I brought it up. I have to say something and I plan to do it tomorrow afternoon when I leave work. Not only that, but I am going to call the mall and complain.

Any suggestions on the best way to handle this?

[candy]

1. You answered your own question---complain to mall management.

[smbolisnch]

2. That's it?

You don't think I should approach the people at the booth? :shrug:

[candy]

4. From the description you gave,probably not-------they sound weird.

I would complain to the mall management and also to the managers of the large anchor stores in the mall. They are the ones with the clout!

The key thing is get some customers to complain,and loudly.
They will pay lots of attention to customers.

[smbolisnch]

6. I complained to my boss.

She laughed. She thinks I am a crazy liberal. Oh, woe is me.....
I will just call the mall management and say I am a customer. Mabe I can get some friends to do the same. I suppose if I told them how easy it would be to call the local media and tell about the way the mall is endorsing racists, it might sway them to at least make them take them down and put the under the counter. It is just the principle, people. Jeezus.

[candy]

8. Now you are coming up with a plan---Good luck!

[Yupster]

16. You want to silence

people who are expressing political views you disagree with?

See that's airtight evidence to convince your boss.

You are certainly no liberal.

[Yupster]

14. How's about

I disagree vehementally with what you're saying but believe you have the right to say it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. "Confederate flags" definitely symbolize rebellion.

Today I saw a confederate colored bumper sticker that read, "It ain't over 'til the last one surrenders"

The right-wing uses either confederate flags or the fish - Christ sign to identify themselves. Don't you all find that odd?

On edit: Redneck Christian is an oxymoron.

[democracyindanger]

5. How does your manager feel?

Maybe you should quietly plant the seed in his/her head that it's not very good for their business to have such a controversial kiosk planted at the entrance of their store.

And let your local NAACP chapter know. I'd bet they'd take it from there.

[cally]

7. Who owns the mall?

If it's owned by the anchors (some are) or a major mall company, I would complain to the corporate offices. Try to get customers to complain also. They don't like controversy.

[smbolisnch]

10. I am not sure....

My dad will probably know, but in this rinky dink town, I can't believe it would be owned by a large corperation. I will find out and get on it tomorrow. I still want to say something to the old bat running it.

[cally]

15. PM me the name of the mall and I'll try to look it up...nt

[TroubleMan]

9. A confederate flag means "Proud to be an idiot."

nt

[Maddy McCall]

11. It depends on context, but in this context, I would say "offensive"

[pretzel4gore]

12. the confederate battle flag

the one that flew over their government buildings and the one they followed into battle looks nothing like what's called the 'confederate' flag, which is actually the confederate 'navy jack' flag.....like everything the racists pricks do, it's based upon a falsehood....tell them they are selling the wrong flag; which no one paid att'n to until the modern era (and yes the navy jack does look much better then the actual flag, but history is history, truth is truth)....btw there was a whole series of threads last year etc about the fake confederate flag, which the racists bullheadedly insist is the one, and fly over state capitals etc...perhaps you can do a DU search, cuz all the info was there.

[Yupster]

13. I guess I don't understand your complaint?

Why do you have to do anything?

Can't you just remain offended?

Isn't offensive political speech worthy of protection?

[-..__...]

17. You do realize that this will turn into a "freedom of speech" battle?

As much as I disagree with "hate speech" and similar issues I will agree with (and support), anyones rights to express their opinions and politics regardless of what they have to say... censorship sucks. Doesn't matter where it comes from.

Want to fight fire with fire? Set-up your own kiosk in the same mall with "Rainbow" flags, "Dove" flags, etc... whatever.

Complaining and trying to run them out will make a big issue out of nothing (I mean, it's not like they're displaying Nazi or Klan banners).

You'll come out the bad guy for running a couple of crazy old coots out of business and they'll come out as heros.

[Yupster]

18. There's a plan DS

Sell posters of Nathan Bedfod Forrest with the title. "Murderer of Prisoners."

Sell a picture of Robert E lee looking across to Cemetary Hill with the tagline "what kind of moron would order his troops to attack across that field?"

How about a picture of Stonewall Jackson with the tagline. "One of the nicest masters a slave could ever have."

[Spiffarino]

19. Or, put up posters of Che Guevara and Susan B. Anthony

...in your shop window. Even better, how about Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas? Now THOSE were Republicans...

Don't like the message? Then give them some of your own free speech right back. It's healthy and it's very American. :hi:

[-..__...]

20. Fighting back is fine.

We don't want the person to get lynched or publicly executed over it though. :(

[smbolisnch]

22. Yes

I guess that's what my question should be. Do I bitch and complain because I am offended, and my co-worker is offended, or do I realize that they are only doing I sos trongly believe in..exercising their freedom as an American? Even though I don't like it, I suppose I should just suck it up. I can still give them dirty looks whenever I walk by. I feel really torn about it. :shrug:

[Yupster]

23. No, you don't have to give them dirty looks either

You can be polite, pleasant and talk about the weather for a few days.

Then one day after you feel you know them a little, you can mention that you and others are offended by what they're selling, but you certainly support their right to sell it.

That may get them thinking more than someone they don't know giving them dirty looks.

[Blue_Tires]

21. put up the former USSR flag

and watch their heads explode...lol