The New York City subway system is getting rid of a mosaic in its Times Square station that is meant to honor the area’s nickname as the “Crossroads of the World” after complaints that the tiles resemble Confederate flags.
Fox5NY reports the Metropolitan Transit Authority will be redesigning the tiles that were meant to honor the Times Square moniker after people complained they resemble Confederate flags. The tiles have reportedly been at the station for “almost 100 years” and were not around at the time of the Civil War.
According to folklore about the tiles, however, the tiles were placed at the station to honor the former owner and publisher of the New York Times, Adolph S. Ochs. The Times Square station is below the New York Times office.
Regardless of the initial purpose of the tiles, they aren't Confederate flags in disguise.
MTA told Fox 5 News the mosaic would be redesigned to “avoid absolutely any confusion” with the Confederate flag and to make it “absolutely crystal clear” the design is meant to celebrate the “Crossroads of the World”:
These are not Confederate flags, it is a design based on geometric forms that represent the "Crossroads of the World" and to avoid absolutely any confusion we will modify them to make that absolutely crystal clear.
It appears that not only are places in the South getting rid of Confederate flags and statues to Confederate generals, but New York City is also getting rid of anything that someone may complain resembles a Confederate flag.
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