A businessman from Camboriu, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, displays the Confederate States of the United States flag, a symbol associated with the American slave movement, in a house he rents for two young women, one of whom is black.

Confederate flag found in South Carolina businessman’s home; understand the meaning – Photo: Personal archive / ND

Complaint reached no data+ after the tenant realized that it was not just an ordinary flag. Through the film, she understood the meaning of the flag and also filed an anonymous complaint with the military police.

“The Confederate flag refers to the context of the Civil War (or American Civil War) that took place between the southern states of the United States (the Confederate States) and the northern states in the 1860s of the 19th century. The flag that is flown (and somehow carried) has been associated with American Southern society since the colonial period. The Confederate States were formed by slave estates, whichdid not fit the ideas of the American Revolution (which also sounds hypocritical, since slavery persisted after independence), ”explains the historian who gave the report.

The symbol is displayed at different points of the house – Photo: Personal archive / ND

“Still, one might ask, ‘But just because white people identify with the Confederate flag doesn’t mean it represents racial superiority.’ I insist: Confederate historical values ​​are superiority because they understand non-whites as inferior“, he emphasizes.

The historian also argues that what is happening in Brazil is the redefinition of the Confederate flag by more conservative populations who may disagree with certain state policies of the Brazilian government and end up “importing” the programs of political groups such as those in the south. U.S.A.

The symbolism behind the flag forced the tenant to file a police report, but she said, since she would not have been a direct victim of the crime, she was ordered to file an anonymous complaint rather than a police report.

According to Camboriu Civil Police, a police report is needed to conduct an investigation.

Other symbols may be associated with white supremacy.

The historian also explains that there are other “less known” uses that may be more racial or more conservative. This is a case of the Gadsden flag (also used and recently identified in Brazil), which refers to the American colonists’ struggle for independence from England almost a hundred years before the Civil War. The flag is yellow, with a rattlesnake and the words “don’t step on me”. The swastika, the black sun, or the red flag with a trident are also symbols associated with racial acts.

Confederates and Nazism: is there a connection?

Criminal defense lawyer Franklin Assis emphasizes that it is a crime to transmit symbols with a swastika or a swastika cross. Although the Confederate symbol is not mentioned in the law, the historian argues that a connection can be traced between the Confederates, the Kukuks Klan, and the Nazis.

“Although the Confederates arose in the context of building an American country in the 19th century, the Nazi Party in the European interwar period of the 20th century, such events have not only historical affinity, but also political ones,” he said. quotes.

According to Attorney Franklin Asis of Itajaia, “the manufacture, marketing, distribution or transmission of symbols, emblems, decorations, badges or advertisements that use the swastika or a swastika cross for the purpose of spreading Nazism” is a crime. Punishment can reach imprisonment from two to five years and a fine.