Should the Stars & Bars be on the Georgia Flag?

[Shaitan]

Georgia Flag, 1956 to 2001

New Georgia Flag (aka "King Roy" flag), 2001 to present

In 2001 Georgia Governor Roy Barnes forced through legislation that changed the Georgia state flag to remove the "Stars & Bars" (aka "Union Jack"). King Roy was capitulating to a very vocal segment that connected the Stars & Bars to slavery. Popular polls were strongly against the change so Barnes opted not to subject his legislation to a popular referendum (where it would have been soundly defeated). As a token gesture to the majority he had a small Jack added to the "emblem" area of the new flag.

Our new flag has been proclaimed as the ugliest flag in America by the North American Vexillological Association.

Our new governor Sonny Purdue (Barnes lost reelection, most pundits site the flag issue) wants to bring several flag versions up and let the people pick via popular referendum. Sound like a fair democratic process? Aparently too democratic. Various special interest groups are now filing court cases to prevent a popular referendum and force Sonny to keep the current flag. Yes, those special interest groups are the same ones that Barnes was trying to placate in the first place.

The major point of contention is obviously the Union Jack on the flag. Proponents argue that this is not a symbol of slavery, it is a symbol of Southern (and particularly Georgian) heritage and history. It was here before the Civil War and has been with us ever since. Think "Dukes of Hazard". Opponents say it is a symbol of degradation and abuse. Think "Deliverance".

What do you think? In this day and age is it appropriate to have the Rebel Flag figured prominently on a state flag? Is the Union Jack so tainted by the Antebellum period that it should be banned from civil use? Like so many other things, should we make the Georgia flag as "politically correct" as possible? What's more important, a state's history or just the parts that you want to remember?

 

[Pillager]

It should be kept, and the state's history remembered. The Revisionists can indeed form a line.

 

[Ohwell]

I don't see a problem.

 

[Drewcifer]

I don't live in Georgia so it really isn't my business, but...

I can understand why the decendents of slaves have an issue with the Confederate flag. However, that second flag is awful, it looks like a logo designed by a first year advertising student. Georgians should demand better.

 

[napoleon526]

It makes too many people angry. Keep it off the flag.

 

[Toasty]

Let them vote on it.

 

[Stile]

As a Georgian, Barnes did the right thing, but the wrong way. I say the 1956 flag needs to go away forever and a popular referendum should decide the new flag.

It's hard to believe that the 1950's were so long ago that supporters of the 1956 flag can actually get away with saying the flag represents our heritage. Yeah, it represents our heritage: a heritage of racists 'spitting' in the face of civil rights leaders to protest segregation by changing the flag. We have a name for supporters of the '56 flag down here. They are flaggots.

If the Stars and Bars were part of the flag from Civil War days or earlier, then I could accept an argument that it is a part of our history. It's not. It shouldn't represent racism and hatred, but it does, because that was the motivation in putting it there.

Atlanta is the 4th most popular city in the country for conventions. Kiss that good-bye if the flag goes up. It's bad for Georgia, it's bad for our sense of community. Anyone who wants to keep it is either ignorant or racist. Take your pick.

Edit: I'd be happy with the pre-1956 flag.

 

[philippe]

pfff i knida like the new flag
so it shouldnt change

 

[Perfection]

But if we got rid of it wouldn't other people get angry too?

 

[amadeus]

Keep it the way it was.

Next they'll have to digitally remaster "The Dukes of Hazzard" to make sure nobody gets offended by the top of the General Lee.

 

[Stile]

If racists digitally remastered "The Dukes" to add extra flags as retaliation for the audacity of considering men equal, then I would recommend removing them to get the original version.

 

[JollyRoger]

Something to offend everyone. The Confederate flag with colors taken from the Jamaican flag. Used to market a line of clothing. Celebrates the diversity of both the offenders and the offendees.

 

[meldor]

I would suggest going back to the original flag. Pre-1956.

I would like to say that the "stars and bars" is part of our southern heritage, unfortunately, the only time I see the flag now is in books or on the cars of folks I don't think intend it to mean "Southern Pride". Since it has been taken over by those types to display their racism, I couldn't argue with anyone who finds it a symbol of hatred.

I think it is still OK to fly it at such places as Six Flags, or even at a Southern Capital along with the other flags that have flown over the state. But to display it promanently isn't proper any more.

I would suggest they hold a vote, but limit the choices.

 

[Silverflame]

Originally posted by philippe
pfff i knida like the new flag
so it shouldnt change

I agree.

 

[Sultan Bhargash]

First of all, you got more options on that poll than Netscape polls twisted up to get people to say things they don't wanna say...

Nicely, most everyone seems to have voted appropriately.

I think it is funny that the ole flag still remains as part of "Georgia History" on the new flag. "Remember when we wuz confederates? "...

 

[onejayhawk]

Let them remember a time when Georgia stood tall in at least one circle. Its not about racism, its about pride in heritage, even if it was a backward, illiterate, muleheaded, squatting in the dirt poor heritage.

J

 

[Sultan Bhargash]

What if your heritage from those days was, you were a slave who's mother was daily raped by the master and whose father was beaten to death for stealing a pie? You might not want to remember those days or be proud of that heritage.

 

[napoleon526]

Originally posted by JollyRoger
Something to offend everyone. The Confederate flag with colors taken from the Jamaican flag. Used to market a line of clothing. Celebrates the diversity of both the offenders and the offendees.

This is hilarious! Is it really a brand logo?

 

[JollyRoger]

Originally posted by napoleon526

This is hilarious! Is it really a brand logo?

I don't think that's the exact brand logo, but NuSouth is a company that caters to African Americans & they use a very similar logo. Pretty easy way to offend dumb white Southerners such as myself when you explain where the colors come from. Almost as offensive as naming a holiday after Martin Luther King Jr. and putting it in such close proximity to Robert E. Lee's birthday. One of these year's I'm going to get fired around this day for taking my employer seriously when we are encouraged to celebrate our diversity.

 

[Greadius]

It reminds me a lot of the "under God" pledge issue. Something stupid done in the 50's is all of a sudden treated like its ancient history and has always been this way (In a great twist of irony, the words "In God We Trust" are proudly displayed on the NEW flag).

Its only a flag. If it offends people, change it.

The fact of the matter is the stars & bars as a symbol of Southern pride was hijacked by racists a long time ago. If these people really believed in what the flag stood for they'd go out to every Klan rally and sock anyone carrying their beloved symbol in disgrace. Instead, their inaction allowed it to become a rallying point for racists to pervert any historical meanings of pride it might have had any other way.

The South will rise again. Just not under that flag