On Last Week Tonight, John Oliver weighs in on the Confederate Battle Flag Controversy and makes a generous offer to help retire and replace other symbols of racism.
Many are still cheering for the belated lowering of the flag in South Carolina; but other racist symbols are still in use. For example, in Vestavia Hills, Alabama the high school mascot is a caricature of a plantation owner from the old south. The mascots on the field are dressed up as ‘Rebel Man, the Civil War Soldier.’ Representatives of the school defend the plantation owner emblem vehemently, claiming he is decidedly not racist. One might argue that in this context, ‘plantation owner’ is synonymous with ‘slave owner.’ The prosecution rests. It wasn’t all ‘Gone with the Wind’, Scarlett.
John is giving them the benefit of the doubt. It’s first come, first serve. If you have a racist mascot to retire, Last Week Tonight will give you one of the original mascots that they have lovingly created and used on the show. Yes, free!
I think there will be a run on’ Creepy Baby Doll with Hulk Hands in a Tutu’ so call now, operators are standing by!