Well, the founder of the park was Angus Wynne, Jr. who is dead, so I don't imagine he cares overmuch. Beyond that, he mostly did the flags thing as a gimmick, and wasn't a Confederate loving yahoo racist, so, again, I don't think he'd care much. As for his rights, he sold the company before he died, so even if this were some sort of rights issue -- and it isn't -- he'd have already turned those rights over to the new owners, who made this decision.
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Six Flags Over Texas takes down their six flags over Texas
- Thread starter Ottaro
- Start date
Well, the founder of the park was Angus Wynne, Jr. who is dead, so I don't imagine he cares overmuch. Beyond that, he mostly did the flags thing as a gimmick, and wasn't a Confederate loving yahoo racist, so, again, I don't think he'd care much. As for his rights, he sold the company before he died, so even if this were some sort of rights issue -- and it isn't -- he'd have already turned those rights over to the new owners, who made this decision.
Huh, same here. Such a weird thing to name a park after.
Given what Texans did to the Hasinai, I'm not sure that would be particularly welcome.
Nostremitus
Member
If nothing else, people will finally realize the battle flag (the racist one) wasn't the Confederate flag and isn't part of "Confederate Heritage" whatever that means...
StreetDisciple
Member
H-Town too...never noticed it. I thought they just flew 6 red flags. Maybe my memory is fucked though.
RichiRamjag
Member
Perfect response to that foolishness.
Galactic Specter
Member
Did they really have to take down all the flags? Why not replace the confederate one?
GoldenEye 007
Member
Given the historical context, I am ok in this instance of all six flags flying. It's a clearly logical reason for the name of the park and the history of the state. It does make sense.
It is also not the inflammatory battle flag trash. I'd wager that most people who fly the battle flag couldn't identify the actual CSA flag.
I won't cry over the situation of them potentially coming down, but I don't think this particular situation is a good one to point to as glorification of what the CSA stood for. Like many statues built over the years.
Although I guess historical places in Germany do not fly the Nazi flag in any circumstance no matter the context. Which is fair.
It is also not the inflammatory battle flag trash. I'd wager that most people who fly the battle flag couldn't identify the actual CSA flag.
I won't cry over the situation of them potentially coming down, but I don't think this particular situation is a good one to point to as glorification of what the CSA stood for. Like many statues built over the years.
Although I guess historical places in Germany do not fly the Nazi flag in any circumstance no matter the context. Which is fair.
Fenderputty
Banned
Probably because none of us had a clue they were in the first place.
perfectchaos007
Member
Yeah I had no idea there were multiple confederate flag styles. I'm used to the one we see in the media. The flag Six Flags uses looks closer to the original Betsy Ross flag with the circle of stars
Six Flags: Great America in Illinois, to my knowledge, has always just flown six American Flags:
iirc magic mountain was like this too when i was a kid. these are the only two six flags locations i've been to (both are awesome)
the funny thing about this whole thing is that i don't think anyone was offended by the flags they were flying in texas based on most responses here as it seems no one had any idea there was a confederate flag that wasn't the one we're used to seeing bobby down the road flying in the back of his pickup truck. it actually seems to me there was a legit reasoning given the theming of this park (6 flags recognizing 6 different texas governments) but i'm not going to cry about it being taken down. i am puzzled that the rest were taken down though, but i assume they will just become like the rest of the six flags parks and fly 6 american flags
Master Of Illusion
Member
I feel like the difference here is like that between the Nazi flag and the Axis flag. The Swastika is reprehensible if seen in public, but I do believe there is an attraction in Europa Park in Germany that has the Axis flag somewhere.
GuitarAtomik
Member
TIL the origin of the Six Flags name. Never knew that.
BlastProcessing
Member
Because the park hasn't been organized around the flags for decades. There used to be a themed land for every flag, but now it's themed around a Batman Land and a Looney Toons Land and random shit. Even beyond the links to the Confederacy, it just doesn't make sense anymore.
That's why you see most posters coming in here and saying that they had no idea what the Six Flags name originally meant. It hasn't been a part of the park for a long time.
Well that and because the Six Flags name has spread all across North America and beyond without having the context of the original Texas park.
Hyperactivity
Banned
https://youtu.be/ULBCuHIpNgU
Video covers all the Confederate flag, what they were. Iirc, the flag everyone knows is a modified version of the Confederate battle flag (which was adopted because of the similarity of the two official flags causing friendly fire)
Nostremitus
Member
Fun fact: The racist flag was never an official Confederate Flag. It was the Confederate Navy Jack(rectangular) and the Army of Northern Virginia's battle flag(square).
although other armies did adopt variatiants of it
It was however, added to the official flag near the end of the war, but only as a square in the upper left of the flag (where the stars are on the American flag.) These versions of the flag never really saw wide distribution though, so the one that was over six Flags was still the Confederate Flag as far as reality was concerned. (The first version looked too much like a white surrender flag, the second never actually going into full production.)
That's a little weird to me. Certainly don't know anywhere else in the US that does that, though I will amdit that here in California we would have longer segments on stuff like the gold rush during standard history, I think there's something to be said for history being taught that a student can more directly relate to, probably helps with actually paying attention (We'd go panning for gold and stuff for example).
Master Of Illusion
Member
We had Idaho history in like 4th grade, which basically taught us about all the Native American tribes that were here. Also learned about Sacajawea and her aid on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Any other kids who were in school in Idaho in the 90s help me out here.
Steeped in a Sea of Games
Member
Honestly, the reason for all 6 flying seems reasonable. I don't think it's that crazy, but imagine the flags for 6 flags Germany.
Yeah? Did I say differently? I was responding to someone who said the park founder's history was denounced. Those other flags don't have the same stigma attached to them in the U.S. that the Confederate flag does, so what is your point?
they should just replace it with this confederate flag
Brutal.
Ginger Hail
Member
Can't say I ever remember seeing that flag fly here in NJ at Great Adventure, but then again someone else in the thread pointed out it's been six American flags for a while now anyway.
I thought my point was pretty clear. It's not glorifying Confederates to have that flag up with all the other flags.
The stigma your referring to is really related to the Confederate battle flag. As evidence by this very thread multiple people had to look up the flag to even know.
Take em down I don't really care one way of the other. I just don't think acknowledging that Texas has been a part of 6 different countries is all that terrible.
Dark Cloud
Member
I can't wait to go to One Flag!
Six Flags: Great America in Illinois, to my knowledge, has always just flown six American Flags:
I seem to remember Great America having the six Texas flags. I haven't been in like 25 years though.
CrocMother
Banned
Flying a flag that recognizes indigenous people right next to the flags of the nations that exterminated them wouldn't be an improvement
whitemex88
Member
I'm sure that 1 flag is just as fun as 6. Contrary to what the rumors would have you believe
Earthbound64
Banned
Seriously.
CrocMother
Banned
You speak as if Spain did anything in the territory worth being proud of.
BlastProcessing
Member
Sure, I'm only focusing on the original park because that was the park of my childhood and a place I actually worked summers at.
Pancake Mix
Copied someone else's pancake recipe
Like the flag of Mississippi?
...
It'd be a modern creation, because there were none back then.
If they were being historically accurate, it'd probably be the Cross of Burgundy:
Not the modern Spanish flag like you're thinking...
SoRuffShoNuff
Member
Im not surprised people had no idea that was a confederate flag. I mean very few people batted an eye when Georgia changed their state flag to this. Its only the battle flag that everyone seems to know.
Great America was originally owned by MarriottSix Flags: Great America in Illinois, to my knowledge, has always just flown six American Flags:
BasilZero
Member
Yea, this is a shocker for me too.
Didnt even know thats what the name meant.
dark_chris
Gold Member
And the Whizzer is the only remaining ride from the original Marriott park.
Fun trivia - my father went when it was Marriott Great America and always made a fuss about how ridiculous the price has changed from then to now lol
Unknown Soldier
Member
TIL the saying "six flags over Texas" pre-dates the theme park of the same name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_flags_over_Texas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_flags_over_Texas