SC barbecue baron changes Confederate flags at some restaurants

Charlotte Observer ^ | 10/26/07 | Katrina Goggins

[Non-Sequitur]

COLUMBIA, S.C. --Outspoken barbecue baron Maurice Bessinger - known as much for his support of the Confederate flag as his food- is providing some variety for his customers, but this change has nothing to do with his famous mustard-based sauce.

At about half of his dozen restaurants, Bessinger has replaced the better-known Confederate battle flag with its red background, blue cross and white stars with the less recognized and perhaps less controversial first flag of the Confederacy - a banner with two red stripes, a white stripe and a blue square with a circle of white stars.

The new flag, which resembles the U.S. flag, better honors his ancestors who fought for the South in the Civil War, Bessinger said. The Confederate battle flag will remain at the other restaurants, he said.

But anyone who thinks the change in banners shows the self-proclaimed "Barbecue King" has softened his views on the flag or race - Bessinger refused to serve blacks at his restaurant until 1976 when the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in - better think again.

"I'm not backing down from nothing. I'm still flying the Confederate flag," Bessinger said. "I've come to realize that I should fly the flag of my ancestors, which is the first national flag. That was the soldiers' flag."

A state NAACP leader suggests Bessinger has changed flags because he is losing customers, but a Confederate group said it is just as likely people's opinions of Bessinger were set back in 2000, when he first raised the more famous Confederate battle flag over his restaurants to protest the state Legislature's decision to take that flag down from atop the Statehouse dome.

"The ones who are against him - Maurice could stand on his head in the parking lot and it wouldn't attract them to come in because they're making a political statement," said Don Gordon, spokesman for the South Carolina division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The change in flags hasn't changed the mind of Lonnie Randolph, president of the state chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

"Whether, it's the first national or the last national flag, that does not change history, and the intent, and purpose that that group stood for - which was to overthrow the government of America - doesn't change with the garment that they hang off their pole," he said.

Bessinger has never avoided controversy. He helped the presidential campaign of the former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who in the 1960s pledged to back segregation. Bessinger himself ran for governor of South Carolina as a Democrat in 1974, riding through towns across the state on a white steed and wearing his famous white suit. He finished fifth out of seven candidates.

Bessinger's decision to hoist the Confederate flag at his restaurants in 2000 led to stories about pamphlets still available at his restaurants which said Africans were grateful for slavery because they were better off in the United States than in Africa.

The publicity led several large grocery store chains to remove Bessinger's sauce from their shelves. Bessinger unsuccessfully sued, and the golden, mustard-based sauce can now only be bought at smaller retailers, Bessinger's restaurants and online.

"I'm never going to get back in the grocery stores. It's a done deal. The NAACP is going to see to that," Bessinger said. "Standing up for my heritage cost my $50 million and I'm proud of the fact that I stood up for it."

[wrench]

This is also the latest Ga. state flag. PC demanded the scrapping of the flag with the BF on it.

[Guenevere]

bbq bttt

[Jet Jaguar]

Learn something new everyday.

Thanks.

[OldSmaj]

...boiled the crap out of the rack...

What's the purpose of that?

It takes me at least 5 hours to cook 6 medium sized baby backs, using nothing but seasoned pecan, hickory or apple, whichever one I've gotten my two worthless sons to cut and split for me.

No rub, no salt, no pepper, none of that crap.

If you want that, it's on the table, along with the sauce, after I bring them out of the smoker.

My two worthless sons put ketchup on everything but my ribs.

The only thing they put on them is their fingers.

And another thing, if the meat falls off the rib, then you done overcooked 'em.

[padre35]

Exactly, sauce is for dipping the BBQ, not drowning it.

And for me the CSN flag was nice as well.

[Nasty McPhilthy]

ping.

[dennisw]

I like Maurice Bessinger. I bought some of his BBQ sauce years ago in a regular supermarket. Looks like the idiots at the NAACP killed that part of his business

Maurice is useful he makes good food and the NAACP is useless and worthless

[STONEWALLS]

I like Maurice’s restaurants when we go thru Columbia...they do BBQ a little different there with that yellow sauce....one of the things nice about BBQ is it’s regional differences....I feel that North Carolina BBQ has slipped a lot in the last 25 years....too many guys using gas cookers...hope Maurice keeps flying the Confederate flag....if nothing else, it provokes a response from the NAACP that shows how irrelevant they’ve become.

[MinuteGal]

Wish I could find a good one in the NPR area, Scott!

Leni

[Lokibob]

 

 

Try these.  I get them at Home Depot, about $15 a bag.  You can really control the heat with these.

 

 

Wood Pellets Traeger Industries, Inc. Wood pellets are formed from sawdust that is dried, pulverized, and extruded through a rotating die under enormous pressure. The natural lining in the wood binds the pellets into their shape. These clean-burning wood pellets generate about 8500 BTU per lb. with very little ash. Traeger selects only the finest hardwoods from across the country to go into their pellets. No. PEL304: Hickory, 20 lb. No. PEL305: Mesquite, 20 lb.   .......Bob

 

 

[JSDude1]

No they didn’t. And I wouldn’t change history (God is Sovereign), yet it doesn’t mean we should forget..

[Triggerhippie]

I don’t claim to be an expert on BBQ (I am an aficionado), but I think it’s hard to compare different types.

There are great black owned BBQ joints that are *very* different from nearby white owned BBQ joints, each seems to have its own particular charm, and there are good ones and bad ones of both types.

The one thing that I’ve noticed is the ambiance (if you can use that word in a BBQ joint) is directly proportional to how well the pig on the restaurant’s sign is dressed and the quality of the food seems to be inversely proportional.

IOW, if you want to get good BBQ, avoid the place with the logo of the pig in top hat and tails. They will have nice tablecloths and sh!tty food. Go to the place where the logo shows a pig wearing overalls, preferrably with only one shoulder strap attached, for really great food.

It sounds crazy as hell, I know, but I have yet to experience anything, in over 20 years of extensive field research, to disprove my hypothesis.

[Between the Lines]

At about half of his dozen restaurants, Bessinger has replaced the better-known Confederate battle flag

Clearly Maurice has decided upon six of one and a half dozen of the other.

[Fairview]

Thank you for giving voice to some of my opinions about the flags of the Confederacy. Flying the Confederate naval jack alienates and infuriates so many people that they just aren’t willing to listen and learn. Flying the First National opens up a lot of interesting discussions—it becomes a “teachable moment.” Blacks and whites alike can find common ground in reasonable discussion, because the blacks can accept the idea of loving one’s heritage. When I drive around Virginia many people compliment me on my choice of automotive decoration.

[Robe]

Bessinger has replaced the better-known Confederate battle flag with its red background, blue cross and white stars with the less recognized and perhaps less controversial first flag of the Confederacy - a banner with two red stripes, a white stripe and a blue square with a circle of white stars.

Ahem.... Rasising hand ...

AH..... excuce me but.........

The battle flag.. is NOT the STARS and BARS lady......BUT a banner with two red stripes, a white stripe and a blue square with a circle of white stars. IS THE STARS AND BARS..

Jeeeezs how I hate reporters without a whim of hostory ....

[Demophilus]

“From revolutionary times until the 50’s, black servants or slaves were the pit masters. The white overseers would not dirty their hands cooking a beast.”

This sounds like it came straight from some black power historical revisionist pamphlet. Are you kidding me? There must have been an awful lot of hungry White people waiting around for the what sure would be a numerically small group of ‘black slave pit masters’ to cook their ‘dirty beasts’ for them. Ridiculous...

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

BTTT!

[dusttoyou]

Country Tavern, between Kilgore and Tyler, TEXAS. Best ribs to date bar none.

[PAR35]

. Another kind FReeper has posted a picture underneath your post and I am surprised to see it. I never have before.

Look at the current Georgia flag. Delete the state seal. You have the 'First National'. http://www.50states.com/flag/gaflag.htm

[Moose4]

Which kind? If you want to start a fight in certain portions of either Carolina, proclaim your love for the wrong kind of que. Trust me, Crips v. Bloods ain’t got NOTHIN’ on vinegar-based vs. tomato-based vs. mustard-based!

Maurice always reminded me of that slightly “off” grand-uncle that shows up to your family reunion...he’s interesting, the kids love him, and chances are, he’ll say something by the end of the day that mortifies half the family. I admire his stand, and don’t see anything wrong with him switching the Naval Jack for the First National at some of his restaurants. But he’s still eccentric!

}:-)4