SPLC to Georgia: Don't Turn an American Tradition into a Racist One

Yesterday, a groundhog honoring two Confederate generals received widespread recognition for his weather predictions. February 1 is also the first day of Black History Month.

The following statement is from Lecia Brooks, SPLC Chief of Staff & Culture:

“Naming a groundhog after Confederate generals, more than 150 years after Confederates lost the Civil War, substantiates what history has shown: Confederate supporters will use any and everything at their disposal to whitewash the truth about the Civil War. These incidents remind Black Georgians that they are not equals. It is even more insulting that the reporting coincided with the start of Black History Month.

“Changing the name of this groundhog is an easy fix that doesn’t require intervention from elected officials. Georgia can and should do better.”