Is this flag RACIST??

As part of their broader campaign to associate conservative symbols with racism and slavery, progressives claim that the iconic "Don't Tread On Me" (or the Gadsden flag) is racially offensive.
Recently, a 12-year-old boy named Jaiden was removed from his class at the Vanguard School in Colorado for wearing a backpack that had a patch of the Gadsden flag. School administrators subsequently claimed that the flag had its origins in "slavery and the slave trade."
Caroline Downey explores the history of the Gadsden flag and it's creator to evaluate whether it is in fact, racist.
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FURTHER READING:
www.nationalreview.com/news/c...
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CREDITS:
Video via @cboyack on X
Photos via Library of Congress
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CHAPTERS
0:00-0:18 The Gadsden Flag
0:19-0:51 Boy Kicked Out of School
0:52-1:10 Legal Precedent
1:11-1:28 What the Left is Doing
1:29-2:19 Origin of the Flag
2:20-2:55 What the Flag Meant
2:56-3:26 Gadsden's Flaws
3:27-3:56 What Does It Mean Today?
3:57-4:36 What Happened to Jaiden
4:37-4:46 Outro

[@hannah1943]

There is absolutely nothing racist about that flag

[@oyo4629]

white supremacist love flying that flag along with their confederate flag, and the creator of that flag was a slave owner who believe black people were nothing more than property. so if racists love flying that flag and it was created by a racist then it makes the flag racist.

[@RichSmithify]

Is this flag RACIST?? No.

[@A_Final_Hit]

This is why it's important for people to learn the actual history of our country, rather than rely on someone's feelings about it. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@bivouaqc]

People need to know the true meaning behind the flag: It looks badass, especially the one where the snake is in pieces, "Don't tread on me" sounds badass. That means don't mess with me because Im a bad mofo. Of course some kid wants it on his backpack, same reason why other kids would want a batman patch or a skull or something. The real controversy is that his teacher is a dumbass.

[@barbarakiewe2870]

Step 1: Is everything racist? If yes, then... yes this flag is racist. If no, then... you must be kidding, of course this flag isn't racist.

[@michaelman957]

No, it's not racist. It never was.

[@federicomanuelolveira7658]

Yes it was and it is

[@CorvusSocial]

@@federicomanuelolveira7658 no it never was. learn history first

[@janetholt2412]

​@federicomanuelolveira7658 no it's not

[@strawberrymilk9767]

@@federicomanuelolveira7658 please learn history

[@meandmybuddy964]

If that was my son’s teacher, I definitely would not send him back to school. Lol.

[@asemov2707]

They tried to tread on him.

[@RealWarnerus]

Ironic

[@DrLeroyGreen]

The Gadston flag is predated by the First Skip Jack consisting of an uncoiled rattle snake and 13 white and red stripes. It is sometimes considered the first flag of the US as it was flown on the first real organized entity within the newborn country's US Navel vessels. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Navy_Jack As a Navy brat, I prefer to fly this one instead.

[@marklambert4793]

Just makes me want to put the biggest one I can find. And I’m sure I am not alone in that sentiment!

[@seanwooten6410]

The thing is, the people who are triggered by the Gadsden flag also fly in to a tizzy when they see an American flag. Some even admit it.

[@derkaiser420]

It is not racist. It was made by Gadsden in the 1770's against the British. The US Navy flies the 'Don't Tread on Me' flag on its forecastle during peace time.

[@MotorPotor56]

"The House of Commons, refused to receive the addresses of the colonies, when the matter was pending; besides, we hold our rights neither from them nor from the Lords."- Christopher Gadsden

[@dirtyden1]

It was originally meant to be a symbol against the force of British imperialism. From, a British person. Even I think this flag is okay.

[@ericd7532]

Frat houses? Wtf?

[@excimexipmpros6326]

Pretty obvious that the rattlesnake harbors rage directed towards garter snakes.

[@spitlikesfire9368]

If you are offended by the flag that says more about you

[@prodigalpriest]

That flag was made during the American War for Independence, so no, it is NOT racist.

[@octogonSmuggler]

It's not racist. It's from the revaluationary war. This flag has nothing about slavery or racism.

[@Oldspartan65]

That's people's answer to something their ignorant about they start yelling racist

[@chiggywiggy524]

Short answer: no Long answer: Nooooooooooooooo

[@johnoakley5544]

when the hell did someone classify the it as racist????

[@MisterPerson-fk1tx]

When a teacher wanted to abuse her power

[@matthewbesson5367]

Racists play Call of Duty and eat at Five Guys.

[@michaelman957]

This is a good summary.

[@bob124dame]

I fly the Gadsden flag proudly 🇺🇲

[@steveblease]

And if it was, what about it, what the f..k would it have to do with anyone anyway?

[@carchariasspartania3958]

Short answer: No.

[@joearsenault6423]

I’m rocking a don’t tread on me hat and I’m damn proud

[@claudeculver4076]

Well Explained

[@RuesgaOutlawRacing]

Who sold the slaves to Gadston? Anyone ever look that up?

[@AngraBotha]

It's not racist. It's just worn by racists.

[@justinmayfield6579]

OK, here’s my new rule: if you’ve never had an abortion, or encouraged someone to, or voted for pro-choice politicians; if you’ve never screamed and shouted for the job of an ordinary citizen; and if you’ve never said prejudice things about people who vote differently than you, you can link everything to slavery. Until then, you have enough evil of your own to deal with.

[@chromaticnomadic]

Which college frat houses have you seen this flag at? I dont believe that at all...

[@user-tm5id7te6l]

I hope it's true

[@ArmandoRodriguez-im5pn]

Yes. It's origins while noble in meaning are still being co opted and co mingled with racist groups along with the blue line flag, and even Hawaiian shirts. But thats kind of the point of it all. It's not racism if disguise as Patriotism. I'm glad that this is here to help educate. Be careful everyone.

[@_Solaris]

Who fk'n cares? Just leave people alone. If this flag is r4c1st, then I'm rac15t. -and I'm not under the impression that I'm any more or less r4c15t than everyone else.

[@Missle1001]

I may have seen the Don’t Tread On Me flag before? I don’t think I’ve seen it before, I only have it flying on my flagpole outside my house, my license plate, several stickers, shirts, hats, even my lighter, so yes I’ve seen it many times! 🐍 🇺🇸

[@tiffany1459]

Leave me alone and I won't bother you.

[@dovgunn2234]

I just thought it was a Metallica song. I'm British btw.

[@josephdaut103]

Great work. Thank you.

[@ctxrider7585]

This is why you should teach your children to research, instead of adopting opinions based only on media clips!! Reading is FUNDAMENTAL!!

[@justchillin5534]

Its crazy to me that it isnt racist because every single person ive encountered waving this flag or the confederate flag has said some racist shit around me. Lol

[@user-kc2jl5cf2w]

The Gadsden flag it's represent America's freedom and the Boston tea party movement. People freak out they think it's a racist emblem, how about we be the judge will we know about the true history or the false history?

[@RealWarnerus]

Is the Gadsden flag racist? Literally everyone who knows the history of the flag and what it represents: NO

[@kennethcelorio4937]

No. It is not racist.

[@mandosandradios]

Jaden is broke.

[@krovicious]

then i guess the us revolution was

[@7300Marlo]

Of course yt women finds nothing racist coming from her group

[@MisterPerson-fk1tx]

Care to elaborate?

[@7300Marlo]

@@MisterPerson-fk1tx do you need elaboration on?

[@MisterPerson-fk1tx]

@@7300Marlo trying to figure out if you are cool with the flag and think she's in a racist organization. Figured I'd ask instead of assuming.

[@tacituskilgore3246]

Is that the latest? Pfft. Give me a break. Everything the gov doesn't like is "racist". How ridiculous.

[@viscose808]

No its not anyone saying it is, is an under informed race baiter

[@huggywuggy3608]

Next u know our money is racist . The penny is racist whay else

[@chrisarcher4098]

Yep

[@richiemclaughlin6127]

NO IT IS NOT

[@Muddyowns]

Mamacita

[@ericd7532]

Nope

[@scorpion8ball]

The flag has origins linked with the slave trade :c *HAS A MASSIVE USA FLAG BEHIND HER*

[@Warrior_wr]

I have a hat of this flag and I'm black I have no problem wearing it's not racist

[@risingtide_official]

Sorry, that flag is now associated with racists, bigots, and fascists. The swastika used to mean something completely different until the Nazi's co-opted it. Christmas was originally a winter festival called Yule. I can go for days with examples. People change the meaning of things all the time. If you want that flag to mean it's original meaning, you're going to have to work really hard now as the cat is already out of the bag.

[@carochio8639]

This flag is anti-police...

[@robertduffy4787]

You go wit it girl!

[@heel49044]

No😊

[@boblordylordyhowie]

You just have to read the meaning, then if it fits, it is, if it doesn't, it isn't. racism ˈreɪsɪz(ə)m noun prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalized. the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, especially so as to distinguish them as inferior or superior to one another.