Dixie
Connie Chastain writes:
“Interesting thing… there are lots of claims that the flag offends people, especially African Americans, but I have never seen those who make this claim offer any independent empirical data to support it. When you ask someone, “How do you know so many African Americans are offended by the flag,” they look at you indignantly and say, “Well, duh. How would YOU feel in their place?” As if that’s empirical data…”
In 2011, a Pew Research poll found that 41 percent of blacks have a negative reaction to the Confederate battle flag. 10 percent of blacks have a positive reaction and 45 percent of blacks have no reaction to the Confederate battle flag.
Among Southern Whites, 22 percent have a positive reaction to the Confederate battle flag. 13 percent have a negative reaction and 64 percent have no reaction to the Confederate battle flag.
52 percent of Southern Whites consider it appropriate for politicians to praise Confederate leaders. 60 percent of blacks do not consider it appropriate.
Note: The overwhelming majority of White Southerners have a positive view or are indifferent to displaying the Confederate battle flag. 59 percent of non-Southern whites are indifferent, 35 percent have a negative view, and 4 percent a positive view.