Bar's old Southern theme offends some students

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap...y.asp?ID=18619

Bars old Southern theme offends some students

The Associated Press - ATHENS, Ga.

A new bar named after a Confederate general and decorated with Confederate flags and other vestiges of the Old South and the Civil War has upset some University of Georgia students.

Im definitely surprised by (the theme), said Melvin Hines, a black sophomore from Albany. I thought that after all this time things would have changed. People dont see it actually offends other people.

The owners of General Beauregards, which recently opened just a few blocks from campus, said they didnt intend to be racist and simply wanted to create a bar with a unique atmosphere.

Athens is such a great Southern town, said co-owner Daniel Simmons. Were just trying to bring it back to life.

Simmons said hes heard nothing but positive feedback about the interior, which features framed Cotton Planters Loan Association currency, rocking chairs and three historic banners, including the Confederate First National Flag, known as the stars and bars, and the Virginia Cavalry Jack, known as the rebel flag.

A painted statue of Jack Daniels resembles the bars namesake, Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard, who led the attack on Fort Sumter and opposed Union Gen. William Shermans march through Georgia.

Becca Taubel, a white sophomore from Gainesville, said she likes the bars atmosphere and didnt even notice the rebel flags.

(The bar) is really laid back and awesome, she said.

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