Region, Race, and Support for the South Carolina Confederate Flag^*

Abstract

Objective. Existing research suggests that conservative racial attitudes are one of the strongest factors explaining support for the Confederate flag, but this conclusion has been reached by examining the attitudes of only white southerners. We provide a more complete understanding of this issue, focusing on both white and black opinion from across the country. Methods. We use a rolling cross-sectional survey with a large sample size to model support for the South Carolina Confederate flag nationally and then among two groups: southerners and nonsoutherners. Results. Although racial attitudes are important among both southerners and nonsoutherners, region and race also influence support for the Confederate flag. Southern whites have the greatest support for the flag followed by nonsouthern whites, nonsouthern blacks, and southern blacks. Conclusions. Support for the Confederate flag is not simply about racial attitudes, but a more complex phenomenon where region and race exert important influences.

Flags of our fathers: Voting on Confederate symbols in the State of Georgia

“…On the other hand, the higher a county's median age, the greater the support we found for both flags. Cooper and Knotts (2006) report similarly ambiguous evidence on the impact of age on support for the Confederate flag. may also have been involved.…”

“…The literature linking voters' educational attainment and support for symbols of the Confederacy is vast (Clark, 1997;Reingold & Wike, 1998;Orey, 2004;Cooper & Knotts, 2006). Empirical tests of the relationship generally show that less educated voters tend to exhibit stronger support for the Confederate battle flag.…”

Other People’s Racism

“…Included in the handbook’s “listing of inappropriate attire and accessories” is “shirts that advertise or portray racism, blatant disrespect of others’ beliefs, or have any slogans that are deemed offensive or not in good taste.” It is well known, especially in the South, that blacks view the Confederate flag as a threat, a symbol of racism and antiblack sentiment (Cooper and Knotts 2006). Yet school officials did not appear to restrict this type of clothing; some students regularly wore Confederate flag–adorned clothing without repercussions.…”

Race discourse and the US Confederate Flag

“…Finally, a fourth study drawing upon another recent flag controversy in South Carolina by Cooper and Knotts (2006), reveals that Blacks and whites approach the flag in significantly different ways but that region plays an important role as well. Whereas previous studies were limited to white southerners, their study draws from a national sample of both Blacks and whites, and divides the sample into southern and non-southern, revealing that region and race influence support for or opposition to the flag.…”