More than 138 years after its creation, the Confederate battle flag remains a potent symbol. Critics say the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism and an ugly reminder of slavery.
Few symbols rival the Confederate flag for the ability to evoke such a wide range of passions.
It is perhaps not surprising that those passions tend to run along racial lines. The South Carolina debate is unusual in that it involves symbolic and controversial speech in a public setting but does not directly involve the First Amendment. In the end, this boils down to a public-policy decision. This is a controversy that will be resolved after extensive public debate and discussion. News media coverage, advocacy groups and political pressures all ensure a public resolution to a public problem.