Big Ass Confederate Flag Coming to a Highway Near You

Plans are underway to place a large Confederate flag measuring 30 feet high and 50 feet long — atop a 139-foot pole at the junction of Interstate 75 and Interstate 4 in Tampa, Florida.  The project is being funded by the Sons of Confederate Veterans who believe that this is the most effective way to share the rich history of the Confederate South.  Two other flags have already been placed, one in Suwannee County along Interstate 75 and one in Havana along U.S. 27.  Plaques will be included at the base of what is being billed as the largest Confederate flag in the country.  Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a marker honoring all those "black Confederate veterans." 

Apparently, the group only needs $30,000 more to complete the project.  I don't know how much has already been expended between these three flags, but given all of the misunderstanding claimed by the SCV regarding its history and the Civil War, wouldn't these funds be better utilized elsewhere?  What exactly does a large flag accomplish in a section of the state that has struggled with its history?  So now, in addition to seeing the Confederate flag on beach towels, bathing suits, key chains, bed sheets, we can also see it from Florida's highways.  Sorry, but it is hard to take groups like the SCV seriously when this is the best they can do to point us in the direction of the past.

Comments

[Mannie Gentile]

A 30 by 50 flag on a 139 foot pole in hurricane country? Hope they plan on buying a couple spares.

Mannie

[Kevin Levin]

Mannie, -- In the event of such a catastrophe I have no doubt that black and white Floridians would come together to rebuild.

On a more positive note I understand that this is your first weekend back to work at Antietam. I wish you all the best as I know how passionate you are about your job with the NPS. It is comforting to know that yours is the face that will greet so many visitors this summer. Enjoy!

[Jenny]

Maybe they are trying to outdo the I-65 eyesore outside Nashville? See e.g. http://brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-retaliate-against-zoning.html (there's more pictures on Flickr)

In 2000 or so a group of us from AOL got together for a Civil War tour. That's when I saw, that, um, "thing" while driving down I-65. It was so ugly, gaudy, and prominent.

I suppose if you were trying to give zoning officials the proverbial finger, this was a creative and very effective way to do it ...

[Kevin Levin]

Hi Jenny, -- Nice to hear from you. One day you will be able to jog from one end of the country to the other all within eye-shot of these flags.

You don't even live in Florida, why would you care?

[Kevin Levin]

Hello Inverness, Florida, -- I care a great deal about how we choose to use our public and private spaces to commemorate and remember the Civil War. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.

[Richard]

Why you would invest time and money in this endeavor is beyond me. This is off topic but here it goes. My interest lie in the study of race in the Civil War and Reconstruction periods and thats what first brought me to this blog. I find very little responsible discussion on this topic on the Internet. Anyway, while reading the Fayettville Observer yesterday in the NC archives I came across an interesting statement that made me think of your research on The Crater. This relates to the battle of Kinston/New Bern. I was researching the capture of the Kinston 22. The article describes Confederate Troops being taken by train to Dover and realizing they will be going to New Bern. It says "Before we had gone very far we learned that we were probably going to Newbern, and it seemed more than probable that we were, and we anticipated a jolly time pitching into the negro troops there."
http://www.rrphillips.com/kinston_22/index.htm

[Kevin Levin]

Richard, -- First, thanks for the reference to Newbern. I'm not quite sure what is so troubling to you. I've been commenting on news items related to the Civil War/memory/Confederate culture, etc. since the beginning of this blog back in Nov. 2005. I actually do have a purpose in collecting all of these stories, but if you don't find them interesting than you don't have to read.

That said, I do hope that your continual reading of this blog is a sign that you do find much of it to be of interest. Thanks again Richard for sharing your thoughts.

[John Maass]

There is a video clip about the flag available here: http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-30889

Sure is a big flag.

[toby]

For anyone with an interest in the Civil War, this is a horrible story.

In a documentary film about German racist skinheads, on the wall of one of their clubs was a Confederate flag with the words "The South will rise again". One should not be surprised by the English - most young Germans have it as a second language, thinks to American & British films, music & TV.

But it gives you a queasy feeling to see the Confederate flag alongside anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim slogans, and used by people who beat up Jews and non-Germans for fun.

It just shows how devalued the flag has become, and the main damage has come from people who profess to love it. By making it an object of modern significance, it has been undermined and turned into a symbol of division and (for many) intolerance and hatred. Better to have left it in the nobler, mythical past with Lee, Davis and Jackson.

[Heather]

You might find tonight's Colbert Report (specifically "The Word" segment) to be an interesting watch...

[albert johnson]

I love the flag!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks,