The latest Quinnipiac University Poll shows growing opposition to the display of Lost Cause relics like the statues of Confederate leaders. They also now view the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism. From the poll takers:
Voters say 54 – 40 percent they support removing Confederate statues from public spaces around the country.
Voters support 51 – 42 percent renaming military bases named after Confederate generals.
A majority, 56 percent, see the Confederate flag more as a symbol of racism. Thirty-five percent see it more as a symbol of Southern pride.
The only group that overwhelmingly opposes removing Confederate statues is Republican voters. All other groups either split on the issue or favor statue removal. Indicators are that even if statue removal stalls in the coming months, many statues will likely fall over the years because the statue supporters will simply die off. 49% of those over 65 years of age oppose Confederate statue removal, while 75% of those under 34 want the statues gone. Southerners want to be rid of the statues. 51% of those in the South want them removed while only 40% oppose removal.
The shift in sentiment has been rapid. In 2017 the same poll found that only 39% of voters nationwide wanted the statues taken down.
In answer to the question “Do you see the Confederate flag more as a symbol of Southern pride or more as a symbol of racism?”, Once again only Republican voters (74%) overwhelmingly said it symbolized “Southern pride.” Even among the elderly, who were divided on the issue of statue removal, a 48% to 42% plurality said the flag stood for racism. Among White people with a college education, 66% said it stood for racism. Among Southerners, 55% said it was a symbol of racism. If even most Southerners don’t think the flag is a symbol of “Southern Pride,” doesn’t that end the argument. 90% of African Americans say it is a racist symbol.
Follow Reconstruction Blog on Social Media:
