Museum Lawn Jockeys in Saratoga Covered With Confederate Flags

Why were more than a dozen lawn jockeys outside the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs draped in Confederate flags?

According to the Times Union, the incident was part of a protest against the lawn jockeys which are well known symbols of slavery. An individual involved with the protest was said to have contacted Newschannel 13 to inform them of the reasoning behind it. The museum immediately removed the flags and refuted the protesters' premise. Surveillance video showed five individuals hanging the flags over the lawn jockeys at around 1:49am Tuesday. None of the statues were damaged. Museum spokesman Brien Bouyea said that the display of lawn jockeys were installed last year to "reflect different great families in racing like The Whitneys." He also said that there have been no similar incidents prior.

The lawn jockeys in front of the museum are painted with pale, peach skin but most lawn jockeys in the 19th century had their faces painted black and they gave exaggerated features meant to caricature African Americans. This according to Ferris State University's Jim Crow Museum in Michigan. *Update: Police have released surveillance video of the individuals placing the Confederate flags on the lawn jockeys which can be viewed here. A picture of the scene can also be viewed below courtesy of WNYT news reporter Mark MulHolland's Twitter page. Police are investigating and do not have any information on the identities of the protesters.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you find the lawn jockeys outside the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga offensive?