The New South and the Economics of Taking Down the Confederate Flag

The Confederate flag was flown in battle by a general for the losing side during the US Civil War, the nation’s bloodiest war, with more than 620,000 deaths. Many throughout the American South have defiantly raised the flag, long regarded as a symbol for states’ rights including slavery, over official and unofficial venues since the war’s end in 1865. After the murder of nine black people at a Bible study session by a 21-year-old, who had earlier touted the flag and messages of white supremacist hate online, political leaders in South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi issued swift announcements: The flag no longer represents the modern South. “All three of their states are homes to investments by auto companies, auto suppliers and other manufacturing companies, giving them bragging rights that have made them the envy of other states,” writes author Micheline Maynard. Multinational firms and foreign investors like BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai and Toyota provide thousands of skilled jobs for the region. Hateful gestures are not good for business. Foreign investors are not comfortable with symbols of exclusion or political controversy. – YaleGlobal