“It is to point out that at this late hour, the totems of the empire of slavery – chief among them, its flag – still enjoy an honored place in the homes, and public spaces, of self-professed patriots and vulgar lovers of “freedom.” It is to understand what it means to live in a country that will never apologize for slavery, but will not stop apologizing for the Civil War.”

“It is to point out that at this late hour, the totems of the empire of slavery – chief among them, its flag – still enjoy an honored place in the homes, and public spaces, of self-professed patriots and vulgar lovers of “freedom.” It is to understand what it means to live in a country that will never apologize for slavery, but will not stop apologizing for the Civil War.”

— Ta-Nehisi Coates