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I see this everywhere. Hidden or transparent monochrome American black flags on large trucks or 4-Runners. Usually speeding or driving aggressively on the highway. Honestly I learned to just avoid being near these people for my own safety on the road. I’m not saying everyone with these flags behaves this way, but it sure seems like it.

I found this:

The black and white American flag originated during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865. It was created as an opposing symbol to the white flag, which symbolizes surrender. Confederate army soldiers flew the black flag to demonstrate they would not give in or surrender to the enemy. It showed that they would rather be killed than taken in as prisoner.

And this:

Sometimes soldiers show respect for their country by using the black version on their vehicles

My question is for the people doing this. What message are you trying to send? Are you openly telling your coworkers and neighbors that you are still supporting the South in a war that ended long ago? Are you low key showing your support for Trump? Are you ex military showing support for your country? I ask because at least for me, the message is unclear.

  • Astroturfed@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Any version of the flag has basically become a racist, nationalist dog whistle. The thin blue line, black and white, upsidedown/backwards ones are the even more extreme folks typically. There’s a slim chance someone with a regular American flag isn’t a nationalist twat.

    • Billy_Gnosis@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      That’s what pisses me off about the Gadsden flag.

      The flag has been described as the “most popular symbol of the American revolution”. Its design proclaims an assertive warning of vigilance and willingness to act in defense against coercion. This has led it to be associated with the ideas of individualism and liberty.

      These are some of the ideals that I favor and stand behind. But now the right wing loonies have corrupted it and use it for their own purposes.

      • Astroturfed@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Ya, that one always cracks me up because it’s the folks bootlicking the police state and our corporate overlords having it displayed.

    • Intralexical@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      There’s a slim chance someone with a regular American flag isn’t a nationalist twat.

      Y’all should really reclaim that. It’s a good flag, and it’s supposed to mean some things that are actually quite nice.

      • Astroturfed@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        It’s already too late at this point. Can’t happen anytime soon. Hell, I’m a approaching middle age white guy living in the south, I cant do a buzzcut without getting assuming looks. Wearing or sporting an American flag gets all the wrong kind of attention. I really don’t want to deal with it. Frightening minorities and getting thumbs up/nods from racists isn’t really my thing.

        • mosiacmango@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          Yall need to get a pride american flag. That would let you take it back.

          That or fly both at once.

        • Intralexical@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Wearing or sporting an American flag gets all the wrong kind of attention. I really don’t want to deal with it. Frightening minorities and getting thumbs up/nods from racists isn’t really my thing.

          Then stick it next to a rainbow flag, or a Statue of Liberty, or a peace sign, or the date of the Emancipation Proclamation, or any of the symbols that y’all actually do still have for actual freedom.

          It’s all about the messaging. Make it clear: “This is the flag of the nation, for everybody in the nation, and anyone who flies a mutilated version of it is a coward.”

    • brygphilomena@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Upside down flag means distress, need to be saved or rescued. Co-opted by idiots saying the nation as a whole is in trouble.

      Backwards is actually a normal, proper way to display it if it’s on someone’s right shoulder or the right side of a vehicle. It’s as it would be were it blowing in the wind as the car or person moves forward.

      But of course, so few people that put the flag on anything know even the basics of the flag code. Any change to it is disrespectful, such as the blue line. Making clothes out of it is disrespectful. Hell, I had a neighbor who painted it on the bed of his vehicle trailer. He was literally driving and parking vehicles on top of the flag.