Republican senator apologizes for wearing mask that appeared to look like a Confederate flag

A Republican senator from Michigan apologized on Friday for wearing a mask that appeared to have a confederate flag on it. 

Senator Dale Zorn wore the mask during a senate vote at the state capitol and was immediately slammed on social media and by other Michigan politicians. 

‘I’m sorry for my choice of pattern on the face mask I wore yesterday on the Senate floor,’ he said in a statement.

‘I’m sorry for my choice of pattern on the face mask I wore yesterday on the Senate floor,’ he said in a statement. ‘I did not intend to offend anyone; however, I realize that I did, and for that I am sorry. Those who know me best know that I do not support the things this pattern represents. My actions were an error in judgment for which there are no excuses and I will learn from this episode’

‘I did not intend to offend anyone; however, I realize that I did, and for that I am sorry. Those who know me best know that I do not support the things this pattern represents. My actions were an error in judgment for which there are no excuses and I will learn from this episode.’ 

And while the politician did apologize for wearing the mask, he declared it did not actually depict the controversial flag.

‘I told my wife it probably will raise some eyebrows, but it was not a Confederate flag,’ Zorn said to WLNS. 

And while the politician did apologize for wearing the mask, he declared it did not actually depict the controversial flag

The Republican then went on to say that they symbol needed to be taught in schools as it is ‘part of our national history.’ 

‘It’s something we can’t just throw away because it is part of our history,’ he added. ‘And if we want to make sure that the atrocities that happened during that time doesn’t happen again, we should be teaching it. Our kids should know what that flag stands for.’   

The Republican then went on to say that they symbol needed to be taught in schools as it is ‘part of our national history’

Senator Jim Ananich, Senate Democratic Leader of Michigan, took to Twitter to criticize Zorn for wearing the ‘hurtful’ mask. 

‘Frankly, I’m at a loss for words other than to say I’m just really disappointed to see him make a choice that is deeply hurtful to so many people,’ he said. ‘When he was called out for it, he didn’t seem to even understand or acknowledge what the problem was.

‘At a time when tensions are high and Michiganders are dying, this is a terrible distraction from the conversations we are having about how to save more lives.’ 

The long-running debate about the Confederate flag and its symbols and statues has been increasingly heated in the past few years, especially in southern states.

Many recognize that the symbol is one associated to the southern states secession  during the Civil War as states fought for the right to keep slaves.

Senator Jim Ananich, Senate Democratic Leader of Michigan, took to Twitter to criticize Zorn for wearing the ‘hurtful’ mask

The debate became supercharged after white supremacist Dylann Roof was pictured holding a Confederate flag prior to his 2015 attack on a black church in Charleston in which he killed nine people.

The racially motivated attack prompted major retailers to discontinue the sale of the flag and sparked debate about whether local and state governments should rename streets and remove statues associated with Confederate leaders.

The debate has been the most heated on college campuses.

The Michigan Legislator does not list the flag as one of the flags they recognize.