OS: Confederate Flag Removed from Epcot

[asianway]

That is how Epcot was designed I agree. I just don't think that's how it's looked at today by your average guest or even the company for that matter.

Question: are you from the UK as well?

 

[Eeyore]

Question: are you from the UK as well?

Not originally, I just live here.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Where does it end. We are changing the names of fish, football teams, and basically putting factual history in the closet in the name of "can't hurt anyone's feelings". Well, I'm bald and barbershop poles hurt my feelings so should I get to demand they all be taken down? I mean, I can't help that I'm bald. So shouldn't my feelings get protected too?

 

[lazyboy97o]

I certainly agree with your sentiment and the fact that that quote from the article is ridiculous but we're talking about a theme park here. It's a place where people go to escape the real world and bad things. The Germany pavilion doesn't have any mention of the holocaust and there's no mention of communism in China. The world showcase is essentially a highlight reel. As a population it's our responsibility to remember and discuss our history both good and bad. It's not Disney's responsibility to educate us they are there to entertain. The general population, in my opinion, look at Epcot as a very beautiful and cultural food court not a place to learn about history. Disney need to be very careful not to offend people.

Chairman Mao and People's Liberation Army merchandise have been available at the China Pavilion.

Even of people don't look at the park as historical or educational, The American Adventure is very much a historical production. One isn't supposed to just be wondering the Hall of Flags, you go there as part of entering an attraction based on history.

 

[ProjectXBlog]

if i go the rest of my life without seeing another confederate flag again i'll be good, so this is fine with me. no one is denying that it was a part of history

 

[ProjectXBlog]

Where does it end. We are changing the names of fish, football teams, and basically putting factual history in the closet in the name of "can't hurt anyone's feelings". Well, I'm bald and barbershop poles hurt my feelings so should I get to demand they all be taken down? I mean, I can't help that I'm bald. So shouldn't my feelings get protected too?

when you look at a barber pole, you don't reflect on the hundreds of years of slavery and injustice that the pole forced you into. what a terrible analogy

 

[ToInfinityAndBeyond]

We were counting down how long this would take after the Bill Cosby bust. I also think it's a good move for many of the reasons listed.

 

[landauh]

I agree with you but Epcot isn't a museum. Disney is an entertainment company and while many of us here look at Epcot as an educational opportunity I don't think the general public does anymore. I can understand them being cautious.

Please proceed thoughtfully everyone

You are correct that Epcot is not a museum, but the American Adventure Pavilion is and they have a full time museum curator. So does the Hall of Presidents, GMR, The Magic of Disney Animation and One Man's Dream. The old American Film Institute also had a curator. Security is required to lock these every day and make timely inspections during the night. In the mornings they unlock them once the opening CM arrives. The cases and doors are alarmed and if one goes off during the night Security has to immediately check that the doors are secure and wait for a curator to arrive to go inside. The curator is automatically called at home to come in and inspect the space. During the day only the alarms on the cases are on and Security is required to immediately report to the area if one goes off. (A curator is required to be in the park during the day.)

 

[Matt_Black]

Chairman Mao and People's Liberation Army merchandise have been available at the China Pavilion.

Even of people don't look at the park as historical or educational, The American Adventure is very much a historical production. One isn't supposed to just be wondering the Hall of Flags, you go there as part of entering an attraction based on history.

But here's the thing for those making the "Context matters" argument- it was hanging in the Hall with other flags utterly devoid of context. Someone completely unversed in American History is going to see that and not realize that it was from when half the country rebelled over the right to own other people as property.

 

[englanddg]

you don't reflect on the hundreds of years of slavery

Most of which (aside from about 6 years, in the case of the CSA, of which the battle flag was PART of the larger banner for only the last 2 years) happened under this flag.

And many of the other flags flown there.

To be clear, and this isn't directed at you, the flag that was removed was not the classic Battle Flag, it was the last flag of the CSA.

This is the Battle Flag (NOT the Stars and Bars, I posted the Stars and Bars earlier, as that was the first flag of the CSA).

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

The Battle Flag is what has been adopted (and not just in modern times) as a symbol by small minded bigots.

Rather, it has it as part of the flag.

It is known as the Blood Stained Banner, which I think, personally, is a doubly fitting name (though unintended) name, considering the overarching purpose of the political classes of the Confederacy and the bloody institution they sought to propagate and defend.

 

[englanddg]

But here's the thing for those making the "Context matters" argument- it was hanging in the Hall with other flags utterly devoid of context. Someone completely unversed in American History is going to see that and not realize that it was from when half the country rebelled over the right to own other people as property.

Huh? Meh. Whatever.

And, after a 30 second walk through the hall where they may not even notice it, they then they go watch the show and are educated about it.

The nature of the attraction makes them "versed" before it is over.

 

[Matt_Black]

It just strikes me that hanging it with flags of the legitimate United States is kind of continuing the work started by Southern propagandists. The Confederacy was founded by traitors who sought to perpetuate slavery. Several states were part of Mexico before they part of the United States- should we fly the Mexican flag in the right alongside Old Glory?

 

[ToInfinityAndBeyond]

The real moment of concern will come if the flag is removed from the presentation. I don't mind it being removed from the hall, but I think we're going a bit far when we decide to remove it from the presentation, too. Censorship has its reasonable limits.

I'm sure most of you understand this is just a PR reaction. Disney doesn't want unnecessary heat. Better to quietly remove the flag, let Orlando Sentinel and some bloggers talk about it, and then move on. No one is being robbed of an education by the flag being removed from the Hall of Flags.

 

[englanddg]

Several states were part of Mexico before they part of the United States- should we fly the Mexican flag in the right alongside Old Glory?

In fact, yes. And Disney thinks so too.

 

[Matt_Black]

Indeed. I think that part of the problem is that we, as a country, waited too long to have a discussion like this.

 

[Matt_Black]

In fact, yes. And Disney thinks so too.

Touche'.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I agree with you but Epcot isn't a museum. Disney is an entertainment company and while many of us here look at Epcot as an educational opportunity I don't think the general public does anymore. I can understand them being cautious.

Please proceed thoughtfully everyone

Totally agree!

I believe the Confederate flag is appropriately displayed for historical reasons -- in period movies, reenactments, History classes, Civil War battlefields and museums, etc. On the other hand, Disney World, however educational parts of it may be, is supposed to be a place where everyone feels welcome. For that reason, a flag that stands for (among other things) an institution that caused brutal suffering for millions of people, people whose descendents don't need a reminder of what it stood for in the 1860s and are all too keenly aware of what it stands for now, doesn't really need to be there, so why not take it out? I don't think anyone would argue that a Nazi flag (however historically significant) should be on display in the Germany pavilion, and I think the same rationale applies to the Confederate flag in the American Adventure.

EDIT: Flags are symbols, and their meaning can change over time. To my grandfather, the Confederate flag was a painful reminder of his own grandfather in the Union army, returning from Fredericksburg with disabilities that would eventually claim his life, and of his 17-year-old great-uncle, a captured Union cavalryman, being slowly starved to death by Confederate overseers at Andersonville. To my parents, it stood for a piece of distant American history, a tidy story of state's rights and abolition and lessons learned. To my sister and me as kids, it merely stood for our favorite show, the Dukes of Hazzard. And today, for many African-Americans, it stands not only for historical, government-sanctioned oppression, but for modern-day bigotry and hatred and violence. For them, it is not just a symbol of hurts that are in the distant past, but of those that are happening presently under the shadow of that same flag. For anyone to say to them, "well if you're offended by the flag, it's just because you don't understand it," is an insult beyond measure -- we can no longer contend that the flag's value is purely historical, when present-day racists are claiming it as their banner.

Yes, there is nothing "wrong" with Disney World displaying the flag in the context in which it was displayed, but is it so terrible to do the "nice" thing instead? If we can't show unmitigated kindness at Disney World, a family theme park, and remove an offensive symbol even if its display was historically accurate (not that anyone can seriously argue that Disney World has ever been wedded to historical accuracy) then where can we?

 

[asianway]

Most of which (aside from about 6 years, in the case of the CSA, of which the battle flag was PART of the larger banner for only the last 2 years) happened under this flag.

And many of the other flags flown there.

To be clear, and this isn't directed at you, the flag that was removed was not the classic Battle Flag, it was the last flag of the CSA.

This is the Battle Flag (NOT the Stars and Bars, I posted the Stars and Bars earlier, as that was the first flag of the CSA). The Battle Flag is what has been adopted (and not just in modern times) as a symbol by small minded bigots.

Rather, it has it as part of the flag.

It is known as the Blood Stained Banner, which I think, personally, is a doubly fitting name (though unintended) name, considering the overarching purpose of the political classes of the Confederacy and the bloody institution they sought to propagate and defend.

Quick take down those pictures before someone is offended...

 

[71jason]

The British and Spanish empires engaged in a lot of nasty stuff (the former absolutely permitted the slave trade while its flag flew over the U.S.).

The original 13-star Betsy Ross flag represents a country founded with the express purpose of promoting slavery.

I can't decide which is worse about this: the rush to judgment, "sheeple" decision, or the fact that Generation Snowflake children who were "taught to the test" are so woefully ignorant of the nuances of history.

 

[Hockey89]

Oh good lord.... Are liberals going to remove everything that we are not proud off. So we wont talk about civil rights, civil war, ect ect.... Just unicorns and rainbows.