Real Heritage Isn't Found In Flags of Division

You can’t tell us to ‘get over’ slavery when you’re still waving the flag of those who fought to keep it. The Confederate flag, still flying on American roads in 2025, lasted four years as a symbol of rebellion.

Slavery lasted 246 years. Jim Crow lasted 89 years. Yet somehow, we’re the ones told to “move on.”

Let’s be clear about what that flag represents: a four-year attempt to destroy the United States in order to preserve the right to own human beings. Not states’ rights. Not heritage. The Confederate constitution explicitly protected slavery. Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy, declared their government was founded on the “truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.” 🫩

Here’s the historical irony: the same voices demanding Black Americans “stop dwelling on the past” are literally parading symbols of 1861. The same people who say slavery ended 160 years ago, treat a four-year rebellion like eternal heritage. They’ve turned treason into tradition while telling us our trauma isn’t worth remembering.

The math doesn’t add up. If four years of confederation deserves flags, monuments, and “heritage months,” what does 246 years of building this nation’s wealth deserve? If a failed rebellion warrants remembrance, what about the successful resilience of millions who survived, persisted, and thrived despite everything?

This isn’t about erasing history, it’s about honest history. Germany doesn’t fly Nazi flags to “remember heritage.” They built museums and memorials to ensure “never again.” They teach the horror so it won’t repeat. That’s how you honor history without honoring hatred.

What’s particularly troubling is how these symbols have resurged. Flags that were starting to disappear from public spaces are back, waving boldly from trucks and homes. I even saw some casually being worn by bikers on the highway this past weekend. 🫠

The current political climate hasn’t just permitted this, it’s encouraged it. When leadership signals that the “old days” were better days, some hear permission to resurrect the worst parts of those days.

When someone waves a Confederate flag while telling Black people to “get over it,” they’re not making a statement about the past. They’re making a statement about the present, that they’re still not over losing the ability to own us.

We don’t need to “get over” history when it’s still driving down our streets, still being defended in our legislatures, still being emboldened by those in power. We need to name it, confront it, and refuse to let nostalgia for oppression masquerade as heritage.

Because real heritage isn’t found in symbols of division, it’s in our capacity to tell the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.

AA✨​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​