US retailers like Walmart, Kmart and Sears have pledged to stop selling Confederate flags and related paraphernalia, but major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay have yet to pull products bearing the emblem.
A church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina that left nine black Americans dead has prompted a wave of protests over the presence of the flag, especially in the south where it is considered a symbol of southern pride for some and a potent reminder of the racism inherent in the regions history for others.
South Carolina has said it will take the red banner with a blue X and stars down from its state capitol building. Lawmakers and protesters are calling for similar measures in other states.
Amazon and eBay, though, have remained silent on the issue. Neither company responded to e-mailed questions from Quartz about whether they will join the ban.
A search for Confederate flag on Amazon yields over 30,000 resultsincluding bikinis, electronics, and home decor decorated with the flag. Theres a Confederate flag mink bedspread, antique-look flag iPhone covers, and even elaborate lampshades.
A search on eBay pulls up over 1,600 listings.
While these companies remain mum, Amazon customers have taken to the platforms question and answer sections to express their thoughts. Regarding a polyester Confederate Rebel Flag sold by Rhode Island Novelty for $5.05, shoppers recently asked:
(Amazon)
Some previous patrons of Rhode Island Noveltys Confederate flags offered helpful answers:
There is no end to the ignorance in this country,and it is purposeful. People tend to believe for life what they are taught as children,and children in this country have been taught lies about slavery and the Confederacy since the 1860's.
The teachers teaching it believe this nonsense,too. All they know is what they have been taught,and teaching is where students go who lack the ability to do anything else.
The teachers teaching it believe this nonsense,too. All they know is what they have been taught,and teaching is where students go who lack the ability to do anything else.
That's why it's important to establish national education standards in math, science and history.... To expunge these ignorant, outmoded and objectionable views from mainstream society. The rebellious Confederacy was a disgraceful blemish on our nation's history and should never be cast in a favorable light.
The rebellious Confederacy was a disgraceful blemish on our nation's history and should never be cast in a favorable light.
You are full of crap on this one,Willie. The states had a LEGAL RIGHT to secede from a VOLUNTARY union. In fact,there were pre-existing conditions that had to be met before they would all agree to join together.
It was the SOUTH that was objecting to changes made in the charter they had all agreed to that was the victim here.
You are the one who is full of crap, pete. I really don't give a rat's ass whether the southern states had the right to secede or not... in fact, I would've been happy to get rid of the ignorant racists & bigots... Lincoln was wrong... he should've booted them out of the Union on their good-for-nothing lazy butts.
Wrong pete.... Human rights have a higher priority than states rights. The Confederacy deserved to be crushed because it was evil, regardless of whatever "rights" the states had.
I hold JoeBoTs almost in as much contempt as I do BushBots..
The Penn St scandal isn't about Paterno alone, it is about university-wide pedophilia ring that no doubt still exists. The stain on your degree is far worse than anything you can toss on the confederate flag.
Well Vinny, as a PSU alumnus, I can always take comfort in the knowledge that you don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about... just like every other topic that you bellow and bloviate about.
Well Vinny, as a PSU alumnus, I can always take comfort in the knowledge that you don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about... just like every other topic that you bellow and bloviate about.
Sure Willie....everyone knows pedophile rings are limited to two people. And who doesn't think it's normal that Sandusky began his child molestation in 1998, when he was in his early 50s. Sorry pal, PSU harbored a ring of child molesters (see the BOT & 2nd Mile) and does so to this day. Your degree is useless and if I were you I wouldn't wear PSU gear out in public. You might as well be advertising for Charlie Manson University.
Sandusky was a lone wolf, Vinny... But Paterno should've gotten the axe regardless of the Sandusky affair. Actually, it would've been better if he retired after the '94 season and handed the program over to Fran Ganter. Instead, he embarked on a vain era of fundraising & legacy building while surrounding himself with decrepit old cronies and nepotism. But I have no sympathy for the 3 Stooges (Curley, Schultz & Spanier) who were indicted for perjury and obstruction. I don't know to what extent (if any) that Paterno himself was involved, but it's clear that McQueary told them more about Sandusky than they were willing to admit to the Grand Jury, so the Stooges can rot in prison too, as far as I'm concerned.
And they can take the stinking Statue and melt it for scrap, for all I care. The football field is no place for an old coot who's trying to pretend that he's never gonna croak someday.