Confederate Flag Revival?

The new governor of Georgia, Sonny Perdue, is a man of his word, and the fallout may affect future meetings in the Peach State.

Perdue, the first Republican governor in Georgia since Reconstruction, attracted lots of votes last fall by promising a referendum on the state flag, which the legislature stripped of its large Confederate battle cross two years ago. Now, if voters approve some new version of the rebel emblem, it could result in yet more boycotts over racial and social issues.

Reportedly, at least one major Georgia-bound meeting faces possible individual boycotts (if not a group cancellation) if the emblem is restored to its former position of prominence on the flag (two years ago it was relegated to small-icon status). Elsewhere, Mississippi voters have overwhelmingly supported their Confederate-themed state flag. And South Carolina still inspires an NAACP boycott for flying the actual battle flag near the state capitol.

An Atlanta dean of the civil rights movement, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, indicated he may call for black Georgians to boycott any such referendum on bringing back the Battle Flag in an official capacity, although one result of that could be an empowerment of new-flag supporters.

Atlanta's business community is dreading a flag fight. Last year, the city lost more jobs (62,000) than any city in the U.S. "A referendum will be detrimental," said Bill Howard, a spokesman for the Atlanta CVB.

— Christopher Hosford