For over three decades a union jack flag has hung at the Buckhead’s OK Café. The flag had one symbolism towards the owner but another to many people who frequented or even walked past the restaurant.
Susan DeRose, the owner of the establishment, stated that the flag represented women’s civil rights that were established in 1964. Over time the flag has become controversial and took on a new meaning to many. This metallic flag sign also has the statement “Lives that matter are made with positive purpose” written on it.
Once the decision was made to have the flag removed Susan DeRose was left with a new dilemma; what to do with it? She decided that it would be auctioned off. Due to the fact that it was hanging for more than 30 years in the establishment she felt as though there would be someone who would want it as a piece of memorabilia. She decided to donate the money earned from the auction sale towards the local police force.
She did not openly agree with the reason behind taking it down when she removed it. Due to the fact that DeRose felt as though it was a positive statement piece towards women’s civil rights and not a derogatory statement towards racial inequalities she did not rush to bring it down when others previously asked her to remove it. She felt as though hear reasoning behind the meaning of the sign in her business was good enough. Recently she received threats from individuals threatening to burn down her business if she did not remove the sign. She caved to their pressure because the business is her livelihood.
The gesture of removing the sign with the flag and quote was not enough. Auctioning it off and donating the earnings towards the police force was not enough for some. Even though people got what they asked for, a removed sign, they did not agree with how she donated the funds from the sign. Former state Sen. Vincent Fort felt as though it took Susan DeRose too long to remove the sign and Fort is not pleased with the fact that she selected the police force as the recipient for the funding.
Though some could argue that the funding could be reallocated towards training tactics to improve policing strategies within the community. Additionally, Georgia Tech student Isabel Johnson is also happy to see the flag sign removed and feels as though this is a positive move in the right direction so that the restaurant can feel more friendly towards everyone who walks in the door. Vincent Fort has also stated that he doesn’t quite agree with how the money was donated towards the police and he also feels as though there is much more this small family owned cafe could be doing to lessen the divide.
