In July of this year, the murder of nine African-American parishioners at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina reignited a longstanding debate about the Confederate flag. Soon after the shooting, South Carolina lawmakers voted to remove the flag from the State House building, and many other states followed suit. But while some Americans applaud the decision as a victory against racism and hatred, others argue that the flag’s removal dishonors the memory of those who died defending the South.
On this episode of BackStory, we’re looking at how memories of the Confederacy have shaped the nation’s landscape, from the rebel flag to the silver screen. The Guys will hear what symbols of the Confederacy mean to African Americans, explore Hollywood’s love affair with Confederate heroes, and find out why one Civil War re-enactor changed his mind about his heritage. How have generations of Americans revered and renounced the Confederacy since its defeat 150 years ago?
Correction: In an earlier version of this episode we stated that Richmond's Monument Avenue is the only street on the National Register of Historic Places. There are several streets on the list. We regret the error.
A new study finds public servants can't afford to live in the communities they serve. The Wall Street Journal's Laura Kusisto on a Trulia.com study that finds most major metro areas are out of reach for people such as teachers and police officers.
5 Min
Apr 13, 2017
Stephen Schiff, Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Joe Weisberg, Joel Fields, Daniel Fischer, June Thomas.
0 Min
May 10, 2017
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump traded barbs over character, effectiveness, and even the election outcome. The Wall Street Journal's Aaron Zitner joins us from Washington with takeaways from the final presidential debate.
10 Min
Oct 20, 2016