cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/4249593

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis called the Gadsden flag ‘a proud symbol of the American revolution’ after a a Colorado student was told to remove a patch of the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag from his backpack.

  • Syringe@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Wasnt it a regimental flag from more than 200 years ago?

    Anyone who had any real connection to the meaning of that flag has been dead for more than a century.

    Anyone waving that thing around now is either a reenactor, or a poser cosplaying as a tough guy. At this point, much like the Confederate Navy Jack, it has been co-opted to stand for racism and hatred. Either that or J6 was a big Civil war reenactment with terrible planning. “Guys, guys!!! We’re supposed to be in MANASSAS! No! Stop seiging the Capitol!”

    • Kalcifer@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      The Gadsden flag is primarily used as a symbol of Libertarianism – it encompasses ideas of personal liberty, and individualism. But you are right – the Gadsden flag made its first appearance in the American Revolutionary War.

      Anyone waving that thing around now is either a reenactor, or a poser cosplaying as a tough guy.

      A “reenactor”? While, yes, the flag was first used in the continental army, nowadyas, it has moved quite far from simply being used as a historical prop.

      At this point, much like the Confederate Navy Jack, it has been co-opted to stand for racism and hatred.

      In my opinion, most people that say that the Gadsden flag represents “racism and hatred” most likely take all their information on the symbol from the fearmongering media.