The Confederate flag or Southern Cross reigns throughout families who are the descendants of Confederate soldiers as a symbol of pride and heritage in relation to those who fought in the Civil War.The Confederate flag was used in battle by the army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War. The official flag was "red and white stripes offset by a blue canton (a term that usually describes a rectangular block in the upper- left corner of a flag) and white stars". The internal "X" shape once symbolized freedom and independece from oppression and the 13 starts symbolize the 11 states apart of the Confederacy including two slave states claimed by the Confederacy and over time this flag was repeatedly changed. Many argue the flag is an emblem of heritage, while others argues the flag is a direct link to racism and hate because of neo- Nazi and white supremacist groups adoption of the flag.

"The flag: a symbol of a group identity. It is something we can own and display, as to tell others, "This is a part of who I am." The symbols on a flag instantly conjure a people's history and represent their ideas. We value those symbols greatly, because we value ourselves. Flags hold a psychic power over people. When we see them, the ideas and groups they represent make a mark on our minds and can change our behavior.” ~ Brian Resnick

As found in National Journal, seeing a flag can change one's emotions, behaviors and nationalism; more specifically, seeing the “Confederate flag makes one act slightly more racist.” The psychological power the flag holds is powerful and can reinforce implicit stereotypes, turning many into “blind-hating racists.”

Even though flying the Confederate flag to some is simply showing their heritage and military background, to others this flag is a reminder of oppression of black people and racism in American history. Throughout South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama

Further into the National Journal's study, the authors note that the members sitting in a room with a hanging American flag increased their sense of nationalism, while a Confederate flag “accidentally” left on the table increased a sense of racism when those surveyed were asked questions about a black man who refused to pay his landlord until his landlord fixed the problems reported. They quickly followed up with questions like “Is this man aggressive?” and “Does he have a job?”

Therefore, it is no surprise that the hanging Confederate battle flag near the South Carolina State House caused much friction. This flag evokes more judgment and negativity towards African-Americans. This also means that when this flag was taken down, many felt an “attack on a whole way of life.”

Whether the flag stands for heritage or hate, this flag is toxic. When the Charleston shooter proudly wears the Confederate flag, when the KKK comes out to boycott the taking down of the flag at the Statehouse, or when surveillance footage shows men placing Confederate flags around Ebenezer Baptist Church and MLK, Jr. National Historic Site, it is hard for the words “heritage” and “hate” to coexist.

The #NoFlaggingChallenge was birthed when Bree Newsome daringly climbed a flagpole to remove the Confederate battle flag in front of the State House in South Carolina. All around the world, people have been ripping and stealing Confederate flags off of private and public property since then. Yes, this is “quick, direct, illegal, and likely to provoke rage,” but will this bring about change – or more violence?

A Caucasian man from Arkansas was driving in South Bend, Indiana when he was shot by a group of African-American men when he stepped out to ask for directions. Why was he shot? Because he had a Confederate flag on his car. In an interview with his friend, he claimed that the man never had been racist, but served in the military.

Hashim Nzinga, the head of the New Black Panther Party, says “blacks must offer renewed and vigorous resistance" to what he regards as generations of oppression. He said, "Do what you need to do now before your coffin… demand greater equality,” while President Obama tweeted, "South Carolina taking down the confederate flag - a signal of good will and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future."

But where is our better future? We no longer are the United States of America, and recent actions make many believe that we never were.

The taking down of the Confederate flag off of other’s property will do nothing but cause more tension. Despite African-American efforts to take action, many fear that the next step for those taking on the #NoFlaggingChallenge is death. Tweets of “are you prepared to die” are flooding. Yes, many are being bold and brave, but is this the right way to do it?