As a wave of recognition of civic and social consciousness hits the country and statues of Confederate figures in history collapse, the use of the Confederate flag is finally being questioned and we are beginning to see less and less. NASCAR banned it and Mississippi is looking to change its flag, but there is one instance where the emblem, which has long been associated with racism, will remain: in a car of Dukes of Hazzard at a museum in Illinois.
The Volo Automobile Museum is home to “General Lee”, the last 1969 Dodge Charger used during the first season of the classic television series that ran from 1979 to 1985. The car is stamped with the Confederate flag on the ceiling. Located on the outskirts of Chicago, the museum has said the car will remain in place despite the change in the social landscape.
Related story
YouTuber Liza Koshy apologizes for simulated Asian accent, fakes Japanese words on videos
“We feel like the car is part of the story, and people love it,” museum director Brian Grams told the local Crystal Lake publication. Northwest Herald. “We have people of all races and nationalities who remember the television show and are not offended by it. It’s a piece of history and it’s in a museum. “
Grams said that since it acquired the car in 2005, the car has received no complaints. He said: “Several people have communicated positive comments about us leaving it on display congratulating us for leaving it there and not having an knee jerk reaction to remove it like many places.”
This includes Ben Jones, who appeared in the original. Dukes of Hazzard as Cooter and served in the House of Representatives. He has been an outspoken supporter of the Confederate flag, saying it is a symbol of southern culture. He applauded the news that the museum supported General Lee, posting on Facebook: “The Volo museum is one of the best automobile museums in the country. Good for them !! “
Another iteration of General Lee was purchased by professional golfer Bubba Watson, but after winning it, he removed the Confederate flags from the car.
Grams adds that they would not remove General Lee as he is a part of the story and they would not remove him just as they would not think about removing Nazi memorabilia displayed in the museum in the military section. “If we are going to receive complaints about General Lee’s presence here, we have much worse elements in our military building,” he said.
