Hate symbols sometimes adversely affect some groups of Americans even in 2020. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation that would bring some relief to those New Yorkers who are affected.

Recently Governor Cuomo signed a bill into legislation that would prohibit the display and the sale of hate symbols on all State properties. The new law became effective immediately.

Recently, the display of hate symbols such as confederate flags and swastikas have increased. Jewish Americans and Black Americans see those symbols as hateful and sometimes intimidating.

Swastikas date back to Nazi Germany before World War II. The symbol was used as a symbol of anti-Semitism and terror. Jewish Americans view the swastika as a symbol of racialism and intimidation towards them.

The confederate flag dates back to slavery and the American Civil War. The flag is a controversial symbol for many Americans. Some Americans who display confederate flags claim that the flag is a symbol of heredity and pride.

Most Black Americans see the flag as a symbol of racism and intimidation. If I saw my neighbor displaying a confederate flag, my first thought would be that they are racist.

According to the New York Post, when Governor Cuomo signed the bill into legislation, he said that he wanted to make all New Yorkers feel welcomed while they are on state property. He said, “By limiting the display and sale of the confederate flag, Nazi swastika and other symbols of hatred from being displayed or sold on state property, including the state fairgrounds, this will help safeguard New Yorkers from the fear installing effects of these abhorrent symbols.”

Governor Cuomo is well aware of the controversial legislation. He admitted that changes to the law are likely in light of the first amendment of the Constitution.

Personally, I find hate symbols very annoying especially living in New York State. I understand that all Americans have a right to express themselves according to the first amendment. However, I do not believe that those symbols should be displayed on government properties. Black Americans and Jewish Americans pay taxes to maintain those properties, and symbols of hate should be removed from those properties. What are your thoughts?

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