Sep 05 2006
So what are you saying, Sharon? They’re eating putty out of my hand in my head?
If you see this what do you think of?
The reason I ask is because this flag was the subject of a recent article in one of the Sunday papers. See county flags are a fairly recent phenomenon[1] at GAA matches, and you’ll often see supporters carrying other flags. Flags that have nothing at all to do with the county, apart from similar colours. And, among other flags, you’ll often see Cork fans waving this one. It fits even more because Cork is the Rebel County.
And when I first read the article giving out about the use of the flag, saying that is symbol of slavery, racism and violence, and that the GAA should do their utmost to get fans not to carry it, I was a little, “whatever, it is just a flag.” But symbols are important things. And while those fans waving the confederate flag probably never think about its historical basis that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a history, and that some people probably do feel insulted by it.
And then I think, well, symbols change meaning over time. So why shouldn’t Cork fans use it because of one aspect and ignore the other. Does intent matter? Or is it simply the act that is important?
- do do be do be do ↩
