Proposed Amendments to the U.S. Constitution Georgia Flag Controversy | Posted December 2002. Since overtaken by events, but retained here since the argument still holds. During the recent election campaign, any Georgian outside metro Atlanta saw hundreds of “Boot Barnes” signs adorned with the post-1956 Georgia flag. In the counties in and around I-285, it’s hard for residents—many of whom are relative newcomers to the state—to understand the depth of emotion that many Georgians attach to the flag issue. Governor-elect Perdue has to address two issues promptly: the design of the flag, and the manner in which Governor Barnes changed it. From 1902 until 1956, Georgia’s flag consisted of horizontal red and white bars, flanked by the state seal on a blue background. The addition of the Confederate battle emblem to the state flag in 1956 was pushed through the General Assembly as a gesture of defiance against the civil rights movement. It’s pointless to argue the nuances of what may or may not have been the intent of those legislators, most of whom have now passed away. Nearly fifty years on, however, the consequences are clear: in Georgia and elsewhere, the Confederate battle emblem was hijacked by racists, and has been used or misused as a symbol of bigotry and hatred. Two years ago, Governor Barnes determined that retaining the “Southern Cross” in its position of prominence posed a threat to Georgia’s economic and political well-being. There was minimal public discussion, and if multiple designs were considered, the public wasn’t consulted. A single new design was proposed and adopted with dizzying speed. To many voters outside the city, the process was classic “King Roy”—a backroom deal between powerful business and political interests, deciding what was good for the citizens of Georgia without giving those citizens a voice. Postscript:They did what I suggested... mostly. Here's the 2003 Georgia flag, which I think is a good compromise. I hope this issue is settled for another couple of generations! | |
© 2002 by Stephen Fleming. Links welcome, but please do not reproduce without permission.