Now The Symbol Of New Orleans…Is Considered Racist?

11 Jul, 2015 by John Brodgian

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The fleur de lis, aka the symbol on the side of New Orleans Saints helmets, is now being referred to as a symbol of slavery and compared to the Confederate flag.  It is a French symbol dating back to the 13th century, and has been associated with Louisiana since the 1700s.

“As an African I find it painful, and I think people whose ancestors were enslaved here may feel it even harder than I do as an African,” said slave historian Dr. Ibrahima Seck to WWLTV.

He connects the usage of the fleur de lis, to “code noir,” or black code, which was adopted in Louisiana in 1724, and used to govern to state’s slave population.

But Seck also says that it shouldn’t be taken down, because it is now accepted as a symbol of unity.  So…why complain in the first place?