Roy Barnes in Profiles In Courage For Our Time, by Caroline Kennedy


On Principles & Values: Removed SC Confederate flag knowing it might cost election

The Profile in Courage Award winners of 2003, former Governors Roy Barnes (GA) & David Beasley (SC), are recognized for their principled efforts to diminish the divisive symbolism of the Confederate emblem. One is a Democrat, the other a Republican. Both men knew that taking on the flag issue would be politically disastrous. Both knew that they were risking the careers, but they did is because they believed it was right.

Although this debate is often framed in terms of the Civil War, the Confederate battle flag began flying over Southern state capitols only during the Civil Rights era. A symbol of white resistance to integration, it was added to the Georgia flag in 1956 following the Supreme Court's decision outlawing segregation in Brown v. Board o Education, while South Carolina unfurled the flag in 1962 as desegregation efforts intensified across the South. As the modern South has become more diverse and prosperous, the flag has come to be perceived as a retrograde and inflammatory symbol by many

Source: Profiles in Courage by Caroline Kennedy, p.355-356 Oct 1, 2001

On Principles & Values: Confederate flag was barrier to GA's future prosperity

In Jan. 2001, Gov. Roy Barnes introduced a new flag. The Confederate symbol was reduced in size and incorporated into a new design featuring other emblems of the State's history. Barnes knew that a similar effort in 1993 had nearly doomed the reelection of his predecessor. Nevertheless, he believed it was morally right, and he feared the consequences of inaction. Barnes saw the Confederate flag as a barrier to Georgia's future prosperity.

The new flag was adopted. Barnes' opponent, Sonny Perdue, made the flag a central issue. There is little doubt that the flag was the crucial issue in Barnes' defeat, According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Barnes' support in Atlanta & other metropolitan areas increased or remained steady, but his support among rural white voters dropped 25 points. Even the "flaggers" weren't satisfied with Barnes' defeat, but continued to heckle him up until his last day in office, shouting epithets as he left the Governor's mansion for the drive to his new home.

Source: Profiles in Courage by Caroline Kennedy, p.356-358 Oct 1, 2001

The above quotations are from Profiles In Courage For Our Time,
by Caroline Kennedy.
Click here for other excerpts from Profiles In Courage For Our Time,
by Caroline Kennedy
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