Whether you love him or hate him, there is no denying that Quentin Tarantino is a remarkable film director, and also a man well aware of the history of the periods in which his films take place. His two latest films – Django Unchained in 2012 (for which he won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay), and this year’s The Hateful Eight (which is currently in theaters) take place around the time of the American Civil War. Both films made considerable statements regarding the Civil War, and the divide between people during that time over the issues of race and slavery. Over the last few months, Tarantino has made it known that the themes of these two films are not included in his films for no reason, and he has proven to be well aware of the issue of racism in America, both in the past and in the present day.

In a recent interview with The Telegraph, Tarantino made a statement that at first seems shocking, but is appears to be somewhat true in the context in which he explains it. He called the Confederate Flag “the American Swastika”, and that its presence in American society today should be questioned, as he doesn’t quite understand the role it plays in recent society. Tarantino has not minced words about his views on violence in society today, particularly violence surrounding race relations. He previously caused controversy while speaking at a rally, where he protested against the actions of the police that have shot and killed people for questionable reasons, calling the victims “murdered” and the police officers that took their lives as “the murderers”. It caused considerable backlash from many people, and a petition to boycott The Hateful Eight was implemented (which was unsuccessful – the film is currently third at the domestic box-office, having made roughly $44-million since its release on Christmas Day).

Tarantino’s statements surrounding the Confederate flag are just another notch in his recent history of condemning race violence around America. He has also spoken out regarding the flag and how there were people petitioning to ban the flag. Regarding some officials even removing the flag off the premises, he stated:

All of a sudden, people started talking about the Confederacy in America in a way they haven’t before. I mean, I’ve always felt the Rebel flag was some American Swastika. And, well, now, all of a sudden, people are talking about it, and now they’re banning it, and now it’s not OK to have it on f–king license plates, and coffee cups, and stuff. And people are starting to question about stuff like statues of Bedford Forrest [the Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard] in parks. Well, it’s about damn time, if you ask me.

Tarantino is a man truly confident in his views, and sometimes he can run his mouth. However, he is an advocate for an end to racial violence, and if anything, he does get his point across well.

What do you think of Tarantino’s statements?