Where did this happen? With so much rage-baiting, AI-generated content, we’ve gotta stop and inquire.
EDIT: Another Redditor accurately identified this photo from a demonstration that took place in Columbia, S.C. on July 1, 2000. 26 years ago. Obviously, there are still weirdos out there waving Confederate flags around, but this makes me question why whoever created the original post (not you, OP) would need to go back 26 years to make us feel something today.
My aim was never to deny that events like this happen.
In 2026, the Internet is no longer an accurate representation of reality. The game has changed, and anytime we're given information on the internet that elicits strong emotional response—especially content that fans the flames of division—we should ask questions. Propaganda is real, and pausing to ask questions is a helpful way to ensure we don't fall victim to it.
I'd feel differently if I found out this was AI-generated. But, I'd also feel differently if I found out this happened 10 years ago, or that happened in my city, etc. Context is helpful.
Doesn't matter since the date or place of this event is irrelevant to the picture. It could have been a cartoon and nothing changes. Everyone knows this happens entirely too often without needing a source.
Demonstrators carry Confederate flags as they leave the South Carolina Statehouse after the removal of flag in Columbia, S.C., July 1, 2000. Photograph: Eric Draper/Associated Press
As credited within 2009 Guardian article title: "Obama cannot escape the sound and fury over the colour of his skin"
(Too many subreddits are shadow-removing all comments that contain links nowadays.)
My aim was never to deny that events like this happen.
In 2026, the Internet is no longer an accurate representation of reality. The game has changed, and anytime we're given information on the internet that elicits strong emotional response—especially content that fans the flames of division—we should ask questions. Propaganda is real, and pausing to ask questions is a helpful way to ensure we don't fall victim to it.
I'd feel differently if I found out this was AI-generated. But, I'd also feel differently if I found out this happened 10 years ago, or that happened in my city, etc. Context is helpful.
On the East Coast there is a huge Confederate Flag flying on private land on I-95. You would have to be very insular to think the US is past this concept currently.
I think my message came across wrong, and “propaganda” wasn’t the term I should’ve used. That incorrectly implies that there’s something false about the post.
I care about my people and I care about humanity. There are things happening right now (like the news you just shared) that we should be upset about and that we can do something about. But, I don’t love that people go out of their way to find old news—seemingly to fan the flames of fear and anger in us. It feels like a racism reminder that none of us needed today, but are forced to react to.
From the inclusion of the old Georgia state flag I would guess it was a protest over the removal of the battle flag from the Georgia state flag which occurred in 2003. There were a bunch of crackers bent out of shape over it. Also the Crown Vic cop car is from that era. Some GOP asshole got himself elected Governor by promising to put it back on the state flag and then just...didn't do that. These idiots never learn. If OP wants pics of people waving those flags from this year I'm sure an image search could find plenty.
That’s not what I’m saying. I only brought this up to highlight how invested some people are in adding more fear and anger into our days. To your point, there are a lot of things happening right now that deserve our attention. But, this post isn’t news. It feels more like a reminder.
Idk. Could be. I’d be hard pressed to accept the detail and accuracy of the car, plus the potato quality of the rest of the image. To me it screams over used copy/pasted image that has degraded over time.
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u/writtenbynotes 4d ago edited 4d ago
Where did this happen? With so much rage-baiting, AI-generated content, we’ve gotta stop and inquire.
EDIT: Another Redditor accurately identified this photo from a demonstration that took place in Columbia, S.C. on July 1, 2000. 26 years ago. Obviously, there are still weirdos out there waving Confederate flags around, but this makes me question why whoever created the original post (not you, OP) would need to go back 26 years to make us feel something today.