There May Be A Solution To The Confederate Statues

These charts are from the newest Public Policy Polling survey -- done between August 18th and 21st of a random national sample of 887 registered voters, with a margin of error of 3.3 points.

As the top chart shows, the general public is split on the appropriateness of statues in public places of Confederate military figures and politicians (39% support, 34% oppose, and 27% don't know what the hell to think). But when you look at the racial breakdown, you can see the problem this country has. Among Whites, about 49% support the monuments and 29% oppose them. It's different among Nonwhites -- Blacks (11% support and 49% oppose, Hispanics (3% support and 47% oppose), and other races (23% support and 44% oppose).

These monuments expose the racial problem we have in this country. Too many Whites still harboring racist views (shown by their support for monuments honoring those who who fought to keep slavery and white supremacy).

The second chart gives us a ray of hope. There seems to be a solution that a substantial majority of all races can agree upon -- moving the monuments out of the public square and into museums (where they can be displayed in a historical context). That would be supported by 57% of Whites, 63% of Blacks, 61% of Hispanics, and 55% of other races.

It's a compromise, but it's one I think most people could happily live with.