I wouldn’t call myself particularly observant, but I can remember things that I’ve seen a whole bunch of times in a short amount of time. Recently, I’ve been seeing something that actually shocked me at first – but it has now become somewhat mainstream at my high school, and it continues to show up in popular culture. Will someone please tell me why – why on Earth – I keep seeing Confederate flags everywhere?

Prior to about three months ago, the only place I’d ever seen a Confederate flag was in history books and on an occasional bumper sticker while driving in the South. But now I’ve seen phone cases, T-shirts, flip-flops and cover photos on Facebook swearing allegiance to Robert E. Lee.

The excuses I’ve heard vary. One poor girl didn’t seem to know what her bumper sticker meant. I think only one person I’ve seen in Confederate gear legitimately wanted a reinstatement of the Confederate States of America. Most people have an answer that includes “southern pride,” occasionally using the phrase “heritage – not hate.”