Contemporary attitudes toward Confederate monuments and memorials usually frame them either as poisonously retrograde or as worthy of veneration. Without giving in to such polarizing simplification or passing judgment, John F. Cataldi listens attentively, observes closely, and recognizes the nuances in how Southerners today—black and white, for and against Confederate monuments—make such symbols meaningful and even sacred. His careful and sympathetic study will open a lot of eyes on this contentious topic.

Wendy Griswold, Northwestern University

“As a Southerner living in the North, my reading of John F. Cataldi’s analysis of the interactional intricacies of regional identity and cultural symbolism resonated deeply. With adept skill, Cataldi expertly demonstrates why and how Southerners make varied meanings of the Confederate Flag, and then rationalize those meanings to a “Damn Yankee.” This is a master class on people, politics, and place—y’all better read this book!”

Matthew W. Hughey, author of White Bound: Nationalists, Antiracists, and the Shared Meanings of Race

“In this timely book, John Cataldi probes the meanings that individuals and groups attach to the Confederate Battle Flag and its associated commemorations. Cataldi’s fascinating study transports the reader inside the evocative interactions with three informant ‘clusters.’ Cataldi advances our understanding of symbolic interactionism and demystifies the multivocal roots buried in the symbol. This is an intriguing, hopeful book that highlights the need to comprehend and transcend extreme ideological and political stances regarding controversial symbols.”

Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, University of Chicago