What the Confederate flag means in America today

#perspective

YouGov asked more than 34,000 Americans to say whether the Confederate flag most represents racism or heritage (additionally, panelists were allowed to select “Don’t know” or “neither of these” as responses). The poll was conducted after Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina, said that the Confederate flag meant “service, sacrifice and heritage” in her state until a white supremacist “hijacked” its meaning and killed nine Black Americans. Following that shooting, the Confederate flag was permanently removed from South Carolina’s statehouse grounds.

The Confederate flag carries different meanings for people in America today. Here are the key perspectives:

1. Racism: For a plurality of Americans (41%), the Confederate flag represents racism. This association stems from its historical use during the Civil War by states that broke away to defend slavery.

2. Heritage: About one-third of Americans (34%), particularly older adults, rural communities, and non-college-educated white Americans, view the flag as a symbol of heritage. However, it’s essential to recognize that this interpretation is contested, given its historical context.

In a nutshell, while the Confederate flag was once predominantly associated with Southern heritage, today it is primarily seen as a symbol of slavery, racism, and white supremacy.