Addenda & Corrections on F!

 

Quick...what's the first thing you thought of when you saw "F!rence?" We consider ourselves pretty conservative, but we admit we thought "F*** You." So what is a stranger to Northwest Alabama going to think?

Corrections:

1. We've been told by a very informed reader that Zip Recruiting is totally inaccurate on the salary paid to Andy Betterton. It is probably one-half the amount named on the website. We appreciate a more accurate number, but does anyone think Napping Nancy deserves even this much?

2. We had mentioned to a reader that the giglio was older than the fleur de lis. We were mistaken; the fleur de lis was first used in France around 1150, while the giglio was officially incorporated into Italian symbolism around 1250. 

3. Further, more research shows the stamen are ALWAYS to be shown on giglio illustrations - think the floor of the rear library lobby. If Florence needs to change anything, it needs to revamp the flower symbol as in the above illustration from the same design company giving visitors the middle finger.

The takeaway: If anyone says the fleur de lis is racist, be sure to tell them that Florence's symbol is the giglio...

*****

From a New Orleans magazine: Anyone with the least bit of historic knowledge is aware of the vile racist origin of the fleur-de-lis in New Orleans. It was used by French colonialists to brand black slaves who ran away and were returned.

Hmmm, well it was news to us. Below is the cutesy illustration accompanying the article: