Atlanta
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has proposed a statewide referendum on whether to bring back the old state flag, which prominently displays the Confederate battle-flag emblem. The NAACP threatened an economic boycott if the measure passes next year. The Rev. Charles White Jr., the NAACP’s southeast director, said the Confederate cross was a symbol of slavery and racism, and should not be the flag’s centerpiece regardless of how the majority voted. If the majority had its way, he said, “slavery would still be legal, and lynching would still be the law of the land.” The legislature dropped the old flag two years ago, but Perdue said the move left the state divided. His supporters said it was only fair to put the question to a vote. “If it loses,” one said, “I’ll shut up.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks groundSpeed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resignsSpeed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
