Controversial Confederate Flag Raising Ceremony
By Orlando Salinas
I thought I’d only see Caucasians attending a controversial Confederate flag raising ceremony, early on Saturday morning in Tampa, Florida. That’s what I get for thinking.
But there they were- a smattering of African Americans, mixing it up with Caucasian bikers wearing Confederate flag jean jackets and caps. But what really caught my eye was seeing some of those same African American folks also sporting the controversial symbol on their bodies too.
Right smack dab at the politically powerful junction of Interstate 4 and I-75… hoisted 139 feet up in the in the air, was what most Americans call the flag of the Confederacy, but what is more correctly referred to by historians as “a soldiers flag.”
And that flag is huge, 50 feet by 30 feet, about the same size as the U.S. flag, flown over over mega-sized car lots across the country. Car dealers fly the stars and stripes partly out of patriotism, and partly for publicity. And the sons of Confederate veterans, Florida division, is no different.
Marion Lambert, who owns the sliver-size piece of property where the flag has been displayed, calls himself a proud member of the sons of Confederate veterans, who says his local organization would never defend the painful issue of slavery. And, as I watched Caucasian and some African Americans, hoist that heavy flag 139 feet in the air, there was a collective but “Out of tune” rendition of “I wish I was in Dixie,” and yep, African Americans folks were singing it too, and off key as well.
The local chapter of the NAACP has condemned this event. Calling it racist, and an abomination to millions of Americans, both African American and Caucasian . I was told it would not talk anymore to the media about this issue, saying it would only bring more publicity to the sons of confederate veterans. I pushed a little more, and was told the national NAACP, had given orders to the local chapter, to no longer talk to the press, saying it would only hurt Senator Barack Obama, the presumed Democrat presidential nominee, “Who needs the votes of those kinds of people in Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ohio.” I asked “What do you mean those kinds of people?” His response- ‘’You know what i mean.’’
Throughout the morning, motorcycles rumbled in and out of the parking lot, making it hard to hear, and these folks wanted to be heard. Marion Lambert told me he wants people to notice the flag, wants people to ask, “Why is that huge flag being flown here in Tampa.”
Lamberts answer was simple enough: “I want people to talk to us, let us tell ‘em we’re not for slavery, we’re not for racism, we don’t hate minorities. We just want to show pride and reverence to our ancestors. We don’t agree with the slavery part, it was wrong, but we can’t ignore this flag. It represents our southern heritage, the good that we want to remember, and the bad part we should never forget.”
So there it was, white and black folks, some sitting on cinder blocks, smoking pipes. One elderly African American man wearing a suit and a Confederate tie, back-slapping and joking with a younger Caucasian man wearing so many Confederate symbols, he looked like the poster child for the event. The local NAACP has called these Confederate flag-supporting blacks “out of touch,” saying they don’t represent black America.
I asked the older black man in the Confederate tie, what he thought about the NAACP’s comment, he said “I’m about as black as it gets, I’m the grandson of slaves, I’m a U.S. war veteran, and I’m just as proud of this (Confederate) flag, because it represents my heritage too. And the NAACP doesn’t represent all of black America either.”
Sure wasn’t what I expected to hear.
When the story hits, FOX News is there. With bureaus across the world, there isnt any news that gets by FOX News. 
The Confederate Flag is not racist, the black power and the KKK flag are racist, seems to me that some one has their wires crossed up stairs..
Good for all who want the truth and to properly remember both the Union, and the Confederate Soldiers, and their contributions to this great nation. Few if any people waving the stars and bars are racist toward anyone. Most people who cherish and cheer on both flags do so as a sign of rememberence and respect and honor to generations of people since the Civil War, many who fought for rights and lives of countless nationalities and social levels. This is not the first or sole example of how self-proclaimed civil rights groups, such as the NAACP, claim to fight for fair and equal liberties and rights of everyone. This is in fact one of the latest of countless self-serving negative and bias declarations made in an attempt to guide things their special interest desired way. True Americans, of every nationality and heritage, who actually takes the time to simply study the history of this country, in as close to an un-bias way, will easily and quickly learn that it’s not the flag that is racist, nor was it the creaters and major faction of defenders of either flag, that were racist and discriminating, but in fact it was those specifically intentionally racist individuals and small groups who inporperly flew both flags, and were the actual ones who sincerely commited all the violence and hatred that has wrongly been considered by some of society as synonimous with the confederate flag. Only flag that over the life of the symbol outside of long gone small groups in Europe, that was hateful and racist toward other humans, is the nazi schwaztika. The Confederate flag is not the mirror of the schwaztika!
I don’t think the Confederate flag is thought of as a symbol of racism anymore. The historical Confederate flag now serves as a symbol of the South’s hopeful determination and success in rising from economic disaster and ruin and becoming an economic force. And, the South has done so by Southern African Americans and Southern whites uniting and working together to make the South an economic force. And, the Confederate flies now, here and there, as a symbol more of pride and success. What’s wrong with that? Isn’t this America, the home of the brave and the “FREE” and aren’t “ALL” U.S. citizens are considered equal!
The problem appears to be in the steadfast, stubborn, old fashioned, un-American, and negative thinking of some strident, longtime black African-Americans leaders (like Jesse Jackson and Rev. Wright and others) who continue to hate white people, cannot and will not let go of the past, and look for anything to spew un-American hatred against white U.S. citizens of this country and they do so freely in some tax-exempt African American churches around this country. And, they incite un-American racism against white U.S. citizens. They do so in order to ” gain the media spotlight, attention, and to throw the NAACP’s weight around” and in order to incite African-Americans to hate and resent white U.S. citizens and to take to the streets and march against white U.S. citizens. Enough is enough!
The War Between The States was never a humanitarian war. It was an economic war. That truth is inconvenient for Civil Rights propagandists, and politicians that strategize to win elections. The Civil Rights propagandists need an issue to rally around in order to make themselves relevant. The politicians generally feel to slight the people of the South has allowed them to pander to the Civil Rights groups without risking a large voting block. They figured out it was a good political move. Well it seems the dynamics are changing. A debate has been initiated by the positioning, and size, of the flagpole. The Civil Rights groups have demanded the flag come down. The Civil Rights community needs come up with something of value to appease them to save face. The politicians have to figure out how to deal with this situation with minimal political damage. I think the pendulum may have swung to the point where it is no longer advantageous politically to denegrate Southerners. This is a start. Soon the dialogue may lead to change in public perception, because to some people perception is all that matters. Now I’ve challenged, Dan Ruth, Tampa Tribune Columnist, wrote some nasty columns about Southerners, all of the County Commissioners of Hillsborough County that refused to sign the Southern Heritage Proclamation, and Curtis Stokes, Hillsborough County President of the NAACP, who chose to fan the flames, to a debate. I have stated I would prefer a debate on television, or radio, hosted by a local university, where our community could watch. If these people that buy ink by the barrel, or hold public offices, or are civic leaders, choose to characterize Southern heritage, and its most recognized symbol, the Confederate Battle Flag, in disrespectful, if not with downright hostile treatment, than they should have the courage to defend their positions. I don’t think compromise means that one side gets to make accusations, and the other side simply accepts the smear campaign in silence. So far I haven’t had any responses to my request other than a cowardly refusal by some of the County Commissioners. They said nothing good would be accomplished by a debate. I state emphatically that the Hillsborough County Commissioners have insulted Southerners repeatedly and it is time to either defend their position, or change it. Southerners have earned respect. They are not more racist than Northerners, and I personally love living down here. Its time to pander using some other cultural groups.
Thank you FOX News for the ” fair and unbalanced” reporting! I hope this opens the eyes of many people who want to “see….” The race baiters will no doubt remain blinded be their own hate, not to mention the financial rewards for constantly fanning the flames!
What I find interesting is the bigger story. NAACP operating under non profits laws. It is a violation of a non profit to endorse a candidate or lend political support to any party or candidate. I wonder if IRS will act on this …. or ignore as they do with all NAACP political activities. Can you say double standard?
Bill Carraway
Thats the best news story I’ve heard in years. Why cant we all just get along?
Please don’t forget that the movie makers in California spew lies and racism about the Confederate flag as well. Look at the show Texas Ranger, every time Ol’ Chuck kicked butt, it was bikers at a bar showing the Confederate Flag. Its only the back woods and the country boys that are uneducated that go around with the flag tied to their trucks and hanging in their windows or over the bar in a honky tonk.
Thank you, Fox News, for a balanced and objective report on something Confederate. What a rare bird and breath of fresh air you are. Keep up the good work!
Hmm, I wonder who is working on the IRS/501c violations by NAACP violations for endorsing a candidate? I bet no one but there is evidence of such in this story. Any memo or etc stating what was reported here would reason enough to pull NAACP tax exempt status. You might get the line that it has only happen twice as I have seen on Fox before. Of course, they don’t tell you it was Jerry Falwell’s Church that was one them. Can you say double standard?
“Louisiana looks to the formation of a Southern confederacy to preserve the blessings of African slavery, and of the free institutions of the founders of the Federal Union, bequeathed to their posterity. “
Address of George Williamson, Commissioner from Louisiana to the Texas Secession Convention
You better believe slavery was the cause of the south and their symbol
Billy Yank
[...] No one mention of the tariff. When I read these speeches and then read about SCV putting up huge confederate flags near Tampa I wonder if the SCV has ever seen these speeches? Possibly related posts: (automatically [...]
wayne lesesne wrote:
“Its only the back woods and the country boys that are uneducated that go around with the flag tied to their trucks and hanging in their windows or over the bar in a honky tonk.”
I ride a Harley, I have a large Battle Flag on the back of my leather and i go to bars that have Battle Flags hanging on the bar back. Chuck has never kicked my butt, you have made a statement here that smells of bigotry and to save face you should apologies for it. You are guilty of what those race baiters accuse us of except you do it to those you feel superior to because you may live in the big city, finished your government education, and do not associate with those that live in the back woods. Shameful sir, shameful.
On the subject of the Flag, there have been many over the years that have accused the Sons of Confederate Veterans of not doing enough to defend against “those people” that would work to remove all symbols of Confederate Nationality ,as y’all can see they have ridden to the sound of the guns and joined forcefully in the war to save our Southern Heritage. To this I comment ALL who put forth the energy ,time and money to make this proud day .
They simply fought for Representative Republic and the Constitution they understood. How can anyone forbid them acknowledgements and their proud place in history, it is those that wish this not to happen that should be scrutinized to the fullest extent as to their reasoning. It is this Confederates hope that the herring has been removed from the road and now the Truth can come out.
“Vindiciamus”
I read this article with great interest, a few times the writer states that it came as a suprise that African Americans were there to honour the sacrifice of the Southern people and their heritage, It would not suprise me even from the United Kingdom where I am, I have found that most of the cryes of racism comes from white liberals and black organisations out to develope power for them selves and for the media limelight, media sources just want circulation and controversy gives them that, so before any more reports are written, and opinions broadcast, maybe the motives should be considered
I am born Scotish but Confederate by choice
Scottish Division Confederate Legion
The St. Andrews flag (CSA Battle Flag; also a Christian flag) belongs just as much to the Balck folks as it does to the whites - they both fought side by side for freedom from the tyranny of Lincoln’s new Federal Union he created (he did NOT “restore” anything as his new Federal Union REPLACED OUR FOUNDERS GOV’T & CONSTITUTION with his own, as though who know our TRUE history knows - as those Black people you met there knew - they are very smart people!). The CSA (Cofederaet States of America) NEVER had any race problems before the Lincoln crowd infiltrated and brought that hate with them. WE true Southrons love our Black people - always have ! Segregation is a Yankee ploy, NOT a Southern thing ! The old “divide and conquor” ploy by the North so they could try and turn us and indoctrinate us against each other - didn’t work. WE still love our Black people ! And OUR black people KNOW that flag has nothing to do with slavery and neither did the Lincoln War, which Lincoln himself stated many times.
And the CSA flags are just as much their heritage as the whites ! WE had many Black Confederate heros from the Lincoln War ! Over 100,000 blacks proudly fought under the CSA Battle Flag and displayed it themselves until the Yankee Gov’t began their hate agenda against it beginning in 1954. I still see a few blacks with their Battle flag on their trucks here and there. WHy should us Southrons not fly our own national falgs ? Just because the Federalists have been teaching hate in their invented “history” in their Federalist schools against the South for the past 150 yeras and made everyone ignorant of real truth, is no reaosn why WE should not have our own National flags of our own CSA Nation, which is STILL its own nation by the way. The South (CSA) never surrendered ! The Yankee Federalists just OCCUPY us illegally and Un-Constitutionally, as they also do 149 other nations in their goal to rule over everyone ! They have done all they could to destroy America’s TRUE history knowing that a people with no true history has no future. They HAVE a future ALL PLANNED for all of us in their OWG, with them as the masters and us as their slaves ! They have been training us to be their slaves since Lincoln created this new Federal tyrannical gov’t - and they began by forcing us to break the Law of The Land (Constitution) by paying taxes and funding their OWG all along the way - making us pay for our own demise ! WE were estsablihed a NO-TAX nation by our Founders by the way. Every time WE pay a tax of any kind (an fines, registratoins, permits, licenses, etc are ALL Un-Constitutional direct Taxes!) we break and betray the Constitution ! WE do so because WE are NOT the Gov’t as our Founders set it up to be - we are the slaves of the masters in DC. Just as Lincoln set it up to be! Lincoln never freed one slave, he just made slaves out of EVERYONE OF US !
WE FEAR the gov’t or we would not allow them to HAVE the illegal IRS to be their pitbulls to force us to pay any Mafia tax (that is what they are, a Mafia Corporation, not a real gov’t !) All Federal Agencies are Un-Constitutional, as are Political Parties for that matter. Anything Un-Constitutoianal, including the Federally created ‘laws’ the PEOPLE have no obligation to obey ! Our ONLY obligation is to obey the Constitution OF OUR FOUNDERS, not the compromised re-constructed “Constitution” we see today. FLY THE TRUE FLAGS OF REAL CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM = The CSA FLAGS !
Orlando: Nice job in reporting what you saw at the Confederate flag-raising in Florida. There are millions of us out here who just want Confederate history to be told honestly, warts and all, and not to be used and abused in contemporary politics. My ancestors weren’t right about everything, but they weren’t wrong about everything either. I’m proud of the courage they displayed. As Robert E. Lee once said, “It is history that teaches us to hope.” Please keep reporting on Confederate heritage and on those of us who regard it as part of the great American adventure. At my house, we watch FOX everyday. Walt Hilderman. Eutawville, S.C.
Flying the Confederate flag promotes objectivity in the study of history related to the Confederacy.
Many people believe that slavery was the primary if not the sole cause of the Civil War, but secession arguably hurt rather than helped the interests of the slaveowners. Also, abolitionists were among the biggest supporters of secession because secession greatly reduced the power of the slave states in the Union.
Also, I have never seen any evidence that any Confederate leader was personally disliked by blacks — not Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Alexander Stephens — not even Nathan Bedford Forrest.
[...] over the city of Tampa, Florida. Although many stories take a negative view of the occurrence, Orlando Salinas of Fox News reported on the event in a fair balanced manner. John Adams, who is spearheading the campaign has done his homework so that all the legal [...]
Congratulations to Orlando Salinas for writing an objective, fair article and not falling into the same old politically correct stinking latrine that virtually all of the media have jumped into. You know the one, with the “R” word, the “S” word and so on.
I don’t always agree with the commentators on FoxNews but, in this case, Fox deserves kudos for being “fair and balanced”.
And, most of all, kudos to the African-Americans who buck the victimization culture fostered by the NAACP and others, and show great courage in standing up for what they believe in, at the risk of being called UT’s.
The truth is refreshing.
seems as though the naacp only has a heritage of hate and discrimination against those of us with confederate ancestors,i have ancestors on both sides of the w.b.t.s. and i am proud of each and every one of those men who fought and some died to protect their homes and families.
my family owned no slaves nor did they fight for slavery only for their families and i will celebrate each of these soldiers,north and south every day of my life.
congratulations to the sons of confederate veterans and the new flag now flying proudly in florida.
god bless america and fox news where the truth is for all good americans to see and hear.
It is always a serondipitios moment when one is afforded an oppertunity to see and hear a fair and ballanced viewing of an event such as the flag raising cerimony of the garrison flag.
Mr. Orlando Salinas attended and reported on this event and left a better person.Mr. Salinas entered the crowed and expected to see wild eyed extremist,yet after listening and seeing that we are just people who love our anciestors,the southern thread that binds us.In the south we have a love for good people and a deep hatered towards that which is bad.Where I live there were slave and free blacks,slave owners and non slave owners.Some slaves were owned by blacks,Indians as well as by whites and latinos.The south is a very intricatly woven tapestry with so many subtlties and nuances that it takes many generations of all the different groups to know and understand oneanother.Is there an instant answer no there is not as Mr.Salinas discovered are there many sides yes there are.I am glad that he walked away with more questions than answers,a purer heart and the courage to report the truth.I am also glad that Fox news had the courage to air his report nation wide and Mr. Hume to lead the story.
Thank you Fox news
Thanks FOX News for “fair & balanced” reporting. I’ll bet $100 the other networks would not have aired this “contradiction” to Political Correctness.
The South is diverse and will not easily fit into any single stereo-type the all knowing academic Yankee or “Politically Correct” type may attempt to hurl at us.
God bless all the loyal, honest, hard working, tolerant, door opening, church going, yes sir saying, Yankee by birth & Southern by choice Southerners of all strips; Jew, Catholic, Native American, Hispanic, Wasp, Black, Italian, etc, etc, etc.
God save the South!
Best place to live in the world…………
Billy Yank should read what the commanding general of the Northern armies said:
“If I thought this war was to abolish slavery, I would resign my commission, and offer my sword to the other side.” - General U.S. Grant
Not everything is as simple as Billy thinks it is.
Thank you Fox for a balanced story about the flag at I-4 and I-75. I highly recommend Melissa Tune’s program shown on Channel 12 Augusta (Georgia) news. Melissa is a news anchor who did an excellent story on black Confederates in February 2008 that may be viewed on Channel 12’s website. Melissa, by-the-way, is black and a proud Southern lady.
That Flag Is Awesome!!! It’s a symbol of my Proud Heritage. And not hate for anyone.
Can’t wait to go see the Memorial next year.
Flying My Southern Flag Proudly
Thank you for a fair, balanced article. I’m the mixed-race descendent of an American Indian CSA vet, and of others who were not slaveholders but felt they couldn’t fight against their neighbors and families. Racist hate groups hijacked our flag ALONG WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE CHRISTIAN FLAG, but they do not represent us. In 2006 I stood with other reenactors and descendents in protest of the KKK’s “rally” on the sacred battlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam. They aren’t our brothers, and we shouldn’t be blamed for their offenses. We only want to honor our AMERICAN VETERANS.
Thank you for that fearless article. Its true FNC journalism at its greatest! I think its a persons first ammendment right to be able to proudly raise the Confederate Flag. For many people in the South, its a way to honor their heritage. Its simple as that. I dont think its has anything to do with race relations in the US. Just my opinion.
Mr. Salinas should receive a medal for honest reporting, something we so seldom see in our day that many of us have just tuned out the regular media and search alternate news sources for our information. His report was like a breath of fresh air. May we see more of such reporting. It’s about time people heard the truth about Southern heritage instead of the Leftist lies weve been subjected to for so long.
Al Benson Jr.
Hooray for the men who had the courage to fly the Confederate flag. My grandfather fought with the Confederate States of America, and that was his flag. His war was not with the blacks - it was against the Union Army - the Union army that burned the homes of people who never went to war, the Union Army that raped Southern ladies, the Union Army that stole furniture, silver, jewelry, anything of value from Southerners who never went to war, the Union Army who killed someone just because he, she or their children were from the South, the Union Army who killed the horses, dogs, cats and any other animal just because it lived in the South. I intend to send in a donation to the Sons of the Confederacy in honor of my grandfather, my husbands grandfather and any other relatives I had who fought against the Union Army and their political war. And, the Yankees have continued their war against the South by constantly implying Southern people are not well educated, making their own uneducated remarks about the South, but the truth is they are jealous of the friendliness of Southern people, they are jealous that most Southern women are good looking and always have a smile on their faces. I think the Yankees need to get rid of their deep, inbred hatred for the South, get on with their own little wars with each other, and let Southerners alone.