Golfer Bubba Watson has drawn fire for pledging to paint over the Confederate flag on the car made popular in The Dukes of Hazzard TV series amid ongoing controversy about the symbolism of the flag.
The two-time Masters champion said on Friday that he would instead add the US flag to the roof of the General Lee 01.
All men ARE created equal, I believe that so I will be painting the American flag over the roof of the General Lee #USA
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) July 2, 2015
Watson said after his round at the Greenbrier Classic in West Virginia his decision “was the right gesture for me to do”. He also said the American flag sent a statement that everyone is “created equal”.
“I’m still a fan of the show,” Watson said. “There was no racism in the show that I can remember.”
However, the gesture drew criticism on social media, with many people urging him to sell the car rather than change it. The golfer was also accused of giving in to the “social media mob”.
@bubbawatson why? If we all are created equal then why can't you keep it the way it is? Is this about equality or fear of losing sponsors?
— Drew Brown (@Jarhead767) July 3, 2015
Confederate symbols have been the focus of debate since nine people were killed on 17 June at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Authorities said the accused gunman had posed in photographs with the Confederate battle flag.
On Wednesday TV network TV Land pulled reruns of The Dukes of Hazzard amid controversy over portrayals of the Confederate flag.
Watson paid $121,000 for the car at an auction in January 2012.
Associated Press contributed to this report
