WARNING: Graphic content
In this post:
The Confederate battle flag is a symbol of pride and power. Specifically, White pride and White power. There’s nothing dirty about being White, just like there’s nothing dirty about being Asian, Pacific Islander, Black, Latin, or First American.
Also, as a queer person, I understand the necessity to be proud of who we are.
The danger comes when it’s attached to supremacy, as is the case with the past and current usage of the Confederate flag.
From the very beginning, the flag was used to represent those who fought for enslavement.
Enslaved people weren’t only forced to do grueling work for free, but they (especially Black women) were also subjected to rape, murder, and cruel medical experiments, most of the times without anesthesia. The perpetrators almost never faced any punishment.
All that so another group of people could advance their own wealth and well-being.
Sounds very much like the current state of the Republican Party, doesn’t it?
The yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” snake flag is the Gadsden Flag, and it’s another nightmare altogether.
The Gadsden Flag, which features a coiled rattlesnake and the motto “Don’t Tread on Me,” has become a symbol of far-right extremism in recent years. The flag has been used by groups like the Oath Keepers, the Three Percenters, and the Proud Boys, all of which have been linked to violence and terrorism. In January 2021, for example, members of the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys stormed the US Capitol Building in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The use of the Gadsden Flag by far-right extremists is a reminder that this symbol has been co-opted by those who would use it to promote violence and hatred. It is important to be aware of the potential dangers associated with this flag, and to be vigilant in identifying and reporting those who use it for harmful purposes.
In addition to the groups mentioned above, the Gadsden Flag has also been used by white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups. In 2017, for example, a white supremacist who drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, was seen carrying a Gadsden Flag.
The use of the Gadsden Flag by far-right extremists is a disturbing trend. It is important to remember that this flag is not a symbol of patriotism or freedom, but rather a symbol of violence and hatred. If you see someone flying the Gadsden Flag, be aware of the potential dangers and report them to the authorities if you feel threatened.
Dollsexposed.com stands firmly against enslavement, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, religious fanaticism, anti-abortion, anti-science, anti-universal-healthcare, and pro-gun (aka everything the current GOP believes in).
That’s why, to celebrate Memorial Day, we’re burning this hateful symbol.
So, is it legal to burn a flag?
In the United States, it is legal to burn a flag, but there are some exceptions. For example, it is illegal to burn a flag on federal property or to burn a flag in a way that is likely to cause a disturbance.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag burning is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. The Court held that the government cannot prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable.
However, The Supreme Court’s ruling in Texas v. Johnson did not protect flag burning in all circumstances. The Court held that the government could still prohibit flag burning if it was done on federal property or if it was done in a way that was likely to cause a disturbance.
The term “disturbance” is not specifically defined in the law, but it is generally understood to mean any act that creates a risk of violence or disorder. For example, burning a flag in a crowded public place could be considered a disturbance if it is likely to incite anger or violence from onlookers.
It is important to note that the government has a high burden of proof in order to prosecute someone for flag burning. The government must show that the flag burning was done on federal property or that it was done in a way that was likely to cause a disturbance. If the government cannot meet this burden of proof, then the person who burned the flag cannot be prosecuted.
In addition to the federal law, some states also have laws that prohibit flag burning. These laws are generally more restrictive than federal law and may not be subject to the same First Amendment protections.
If you are considering burning a flag, it is important to be aware of the laws in your area.
Further reading:
https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/confederate-flag
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-confederate-battle-flag-became-symbol-racism
https://acwm.org/blog/myths-misunderstandings-confederate-flag/
https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-confederate-flag-so-offensive-143256
https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-shifting-symbolism-of-the-gadsden-flag
https://www.hcn.org/issues/52.6/north-extremism-the-gadsden-flag-is-a-symbol-but-whose
BTS Thoughts
Initially, I was going to post this sometime in April because for whatever reason, April is Confederate History Month. Unfortunately, to quote Ian Malcolm from Jurassic Park: life uh, finds a way (to keep me occupied).
But, just like Kismet, the doll photography prompt for Monday by one of the doll accounts on Instagram is “shoes.” Since it’s Memorial Day, I thought I’d apply the concept to celebrate the heroes who fought against enslavement in the Civil War, and also those who fought bravely on Capitol Hill during the January 6th insurrection.
Matt: cowboy boots, to honor his roots.
Takeshi: practical running shoes so he can move comfortably in his ice cream shop.
Manuel: hiking boots because he’s going hiking after on Memorial Day.
Chrissy: gold Louboutin-inspired boots similar to what Kylie Minogue wears in “Get Outta My Way” video to celebrate Kylie Minogue’s birthday.
Dollsexposed showcases queer erotica, kink, fetish, and activism through twelve-inch doll photography. Their adventures in the doll world began in 2011 before establishing a home on dollsexposed.com eleven years later.
Dollsexposed's works have been displayed at Seattle Erotic Art Festival, Los Angeles Kinky Art Show, and Los Angeles Leather Getaway.
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