Symbolic Racism

The old Confederate flag is well enough known in the United States, where it originated and where, in the South, it represents the slavery order of black oppression and institutionalized misery imposed upon human beings viewed by the white population as vastly inferior to their white counterparts. Years ago there were campaigns to view that flag for what it represented, a blight upon modern society. And it was gradually withdrawn from sight, as it was finally universally agreed that it was a symbol of hate and servile human degradation.

Yet there is a Canadian couple, Christine and Cameron Bailey, who view the Confederate flag as an innocuous symbol of American redneck hillbilly tradition. Devoid of any racially demeaning characteristics whatever. And so they feel justified in insisting that the use of the Confederate flag in their  eating establishment simply adds to the aura they wish to convey. "Is it against the law? No. Then no one should be complaining. If you want it to come down, take me to court and make it against the law. But until that's the case, I'm not doing anything wrong", insists Cameron Bailey.

His southern-style barbecue restaurant, he insists, benefits hugely in public relations and style by the presence of the flag. Symbolizing what he claims to be Old South succulent barbecue traditions, and certainly not the enslavement and bigotry of a generation long past, of a history that still resonates in its debased treatment of human beings. The flag, used by the Ku Klux Klan at one time as a symbol of hate and a threat against American blacks, is now used by a Canadian restaurateur.

Gary Yokoyama / The Hamilton Spectator

Hillbilly Heaven restaurant in Hamilton serves pulled pork, ribs, sandwiches and a heapin' helping of attitude for those looking for a job at the eatery.

 

Perhaps he hasn't yet thought about the larger appeal of re-naming his restaurant the Bunker, and emblazoning a Swastika over the front door. But then he appears to be rather fond of the name he has chosen: Hillbilly Heaven. So perhaps he could link the two. And for greater notoriety advertise free drinks on Wednesdays for Jews and on Thursdays for blacks. Mr. Bailey appears to feel that anyone who is offended can go elsewhere; those who appreciate the name and the flag and the promise of good southern-style barbecue will be glad to frequent his restaurant.

"A Canadian appropriating this totally politically charged symbol from an American context and then using it up here, it's hard to understand because that flag's meaning is directly tied to the American history of race relations. What it could mean to a Canadian is beyond me. And that guy might think 'Yeah this is a symbol of the south and I'm trying to brand my restaurant in a particular way', but the region he's trying to invoke would not see that flag as its symbol. It's a symbol of a very particular subset within that region", explained James Carson, professor of history at Queen's University, originally from Asheville, North Carolina.

But it's not as though this is completely divorced from Canadian history. There was an underground railway being operated in Canada to help black slaves escape from the United States, find haven in Canada and establish themselves here as free citizens. Canada has a history of its own, and that history recognizes the flag and what it represents. Canada's black demographic knows very well what the Confederate flag symbolizes; their past oppressed condition in slavery.

If Mr. Bailey continues to insist that he has the right to do as he wishes inflaming public opinion and flaunting a symbol deeply offensive to many, perhaps he should also have his waiters dress in pointy-headed white costumes, and burn a cross in front of his restaurant for the full flavour of atmosphere he so much relishes. But on the other hand, he's likely chortling as it is about all the free publicity he's been getting on the news front.

Hamilton deserves better than this.