Rebel Pride and Ole Miss

Rebel Pride

In its first century as a national symbol, the Confederate flag was a point of Southern pride and heritage and a remembrance of the country’s Civil War dead. But the era of segregation that gripped the nation in the century afterward turned it into a divisive emblem used by white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan. It also became a symbol of rebellion by splinter groups such as the States’ Rights Democratic Party, or “Dixiecrats,” that formed in 1948 to oppose the Democratic party’s relatively sympathetic stance on civil rights.

As a result of this shift, the rebel pride now symbolizes defiance and rebellion, the idea of whiteness, and the social and political exclusion of non-white people—in other words, racism. And this is why it’s such a powerful image when used by the Ku Klux Klan, white supremacists, and other racist groups.

Rebel Pride: Understanding the Symbolism and Significance

Today, the rebel flag is still used by some to show their Southern pride. It appears on t-shirts and shot glasses sold in stores. It’s also displayed at a number of universities, including Ole Miss, where it’s used to signify loyalty to the school and its history. In fact, a recent survey by the Ole Miss Alumni Association found that more than 70 percent of those surveyed believe it’s important to fly the Ole Miss flag to demonstrate their pride in the university. The poll also found that 57 percent of respondents called the flag more of a symbol of Southern pride than a symbol of racism.

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