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Amid the debate about what the Confederate flag stands for, a new poll reveals the majority of White Americans view the flag as a symbol of southern pride, not racism.

The findings from the CNN/ORC poll aren’t surprising — the country remains divided on the issue and numbers have stayed nearly the same for 15 years. Fifty-seven percent of Americans currently believe the flag represents an image of southern pride, while 25 percent see it as a form of racism. In 2000, 59 percent of Americans viewed the flag as a symbol of Southern pride.

African-American opinion has also stayed stagnant, with 72 percent viewing the flag as a racist symbol.

After accused Charleston gunman Dylann Roof was seen praising the Confederate flag in his alleged manifesto, debate over the flag and its roots has run rampant. Several retailers decided to discontinue its sales of the flag and other apparel. Politicians have also called to remove the flag from state grounds and activist Bree Newsome took matters into her own hands by removing it from the South Carolina Statehouse on Saturday.

Other efforts to revamp the flag were dismissed by Caucasians; 57 percent weren’t in favor of nixing Confederate emblems. Sixty-eight percent are also against renaming the streets and statues honoring Confederate leaders.

African-Americans are in favor of taking the flag down from public spaces (73 percent) and redesigning the flag without its Confederate emblems (59 percent).

But there is light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to racial crimes in America. Most Black and White Americans say the AME Shooting should be labeled a hate crime, with 92 percent of African-Americans and 86 percent of Whites in full agreement.

SOURCE: CNN | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty 

Poll: Majority Of White Americans View Confederate Flag As Symbol Of Southern Pride, Not Racism  was originally published on newsone.com