Nikki Haley is South Carolina's first female governor.
Speaking to a crowd at an NAACP national conference in Los Angeles on Monday, NAACP President Benjamin Jealous attempted to shame Haley into removing the flag by comparing African American slavery to oppression Haley's ancestors in India faced under British rule.
"Perhaps one of the most perplexing examples of the contradictions of this moment in history is that Nikki Haley, South Carolina's first governor of color, continues to fly the Confederate flag in front of her state's capitol ... my question to Governor Haley is one that Dr. King often asked himself: 'What would Gandhi do?'" Jealous said.
The flag has been at the north end of the Statehouse in Columbia since 2000. It was moved there after legislation passed to remove it from atop the dome of the Statehouse, where it was placed in 1962 by an all-white South Carolina Legislature.Haley, who was born in South Carolina, and her spokesman said the decision lies with the people of the Palmetto State.
"More than a decade ago, under the leadership of a Democratic governor, South Carolinians Republican and Democrat, black and white, came to a compromise position on the Confederate flag," said Haley's press secretary, Rob Godfrey.
"More than a decade ago, under the leadership of a Democratic governor, South Carolinians Republican and Democrat, black and white, came to a compromise position on the Confederate flag,"
ReplyDelete~~Sounds to me like she understands the place of government in our society.
An admirable lady who is standing by the principles which got her elected. Kinda strange these days.....
ReplyDeleteatop the dome of the Statehouse, where it was placed in 1962 by an all-white South Carolina Legislature.
ReplyDeleteThat wouldn't have happened to be an all white Democrat majority legislature-would it?
Funny how that gets forgotten...
Democrat majority
ReplyDeleteProbably so in '62.:)
I was delighted when Hillery and Obama debated under our southern flag in SC. Remember the NAACP negotiated for its placement. It was on national TV. Better for the NAACP to leave well enough alone!
ReplyDeletefor the cause,
Rob
Better for the NAACP to leave well enough alone!
ReplyDelete$$$$$$