Confederate Flags...?

To me (a person that has grown up in the North), the confederate flag symbolizes a time in U.S. history where all men were NOT created equal, a time when racism and slavery were rampant and many people suffered. It has nothing but a negative connotation. I know people from the South tend to see it differently; as a representation of Southern pride. But why would anyone want such a negative symbol for their region of the country? The truth is, if you want to fly the confederate flag in the North, people are going to see you only for the flag you carry. My immediate reaction to a person touting a confederate flag is that they are an ignorant, uneducated person that I would never want to ociate myself with. I don't mean to offend anyone - I'm just being honest.