Georgia Governor Defends Confederate Flag License Plate: Part Of 'Cultural Heritage Of Our State'

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Why is remembering the past only okay when it gives some people warm fuzzies, but when you mention slavery and segregation, you're scolded for dwelling on the past? I don't get it.

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Last week, Georgia approved a specialty license plate proposed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which features a confederate flag.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, who had previously dodged questions about the plate, told Atlanta’s Channel 11 today that he wasn’t “concerned about” the plate and that “hopefully those who take offense at it will look at the fact that it is part of a cultural heritage of our state.”

When asked by 11Alive's Paul Crawley if he thought the plate should be changed and if it might hurt Georgia's image, Deal said, 'I don't think so, I mean it is one of many specialty plates that we have that are supportive of a variety of organizations and causes, so I don't think that it is something that we should be so concerned about. Hopefully those who take offense at it will look at the fact that it is a part of a cultural heritage of our state.'

Sons of Confederate Veterans has a history of racism and has claimed “there is no difference between the invasion of France by Hitler and the invasion of the Southern states by Lincoln.”

AP

[mota bhai 2,675]

Yeah, slavery is part of their culture. It's true.

[deleted-05292014 331]

Call me bias having never lived in the South, nor ever having plans to in the future - unless its South Beach, but I really dislike that flag. Kind of stirs up some raw emotion in me like seeing images of lynchings and burning crosses.

I should go back in time and slap my folks for buying me the General Lee Hot Wheels car from Dukes of Hazzard. I used to love that toy and had no idea what it meant or stood for.I don't really care if it's a symbol of Southern pride, to often it has been used as a symbol of hatred against people of color. It should be banned like Germany bans the swastika.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Symbology synonymous with the slave trade and over 200 of human misery should not be celebrated as part of a state's cultural heritage.

It is part of the state's history, but you don't need a novelty number plates or a flag to recognise it.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Symbology synonymous with the slave trade and over 200 of human misery should not be celebrated as part of a state's cultural heritage.

It is part of the state's history, but you don't need a novelty number plates or a flag to recognise it.

They are proud of it. Is it really for us to tell them what they can or can't be proud of?

Yes, we can judge them for their choices. I know I do. But it's still their choice.

If they want to be PROUD of the fact that their ancestors were racist d-bags, not my problem.

[Operator 1,927]

It does create a stir.

The one that causes the most controversy, the "Confederate Flag" was actually never accepted as the nation flag of the Confederate States. People call it the stars and bars but its not. The original stars and bars was the national flag of the CSA and resembles more the early National Ensign but fewer stripes and fewer stars.

What people get fired up about was actually the battle flag of Tennessee and also the Army of Norther Virginia under Lee.

The current state flags of Georgia and North Carolina most resemble the original confederate flag.

FWIW I'm not from the South nor am I a racist or confederate sympathizer.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Operator

[mota bhai 2,675]

Confederate sympathizers should be lined up and shot.

[Operator 1,927]

When I was a young Marine living in the barracks I walked in on my buddy who was a real rebel from NC as he was watching The Blue and the Gray on TV.

I asked him why he was wasting his time watching that because everyone knew the North had won.. He got pissed and told me that "no one has won yet".