this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2023

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132

What is the message behind this? (i.imgur.com)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by zelifcam@electricpaper.love to c/nostupidquestions@lemmy.world

105 comments fedilink hide all child comments

More Examples:

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.

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.

(page 2) 50 comments

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[–] BourneHavoc@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

I'm not sure what it means, but I avoid anyone who has any form of flag on their truck/hat/coffee mug, etc. Experience has taught me that the louder, more vocal or self-proclaimed "Patriots" are just ignorant, bigoted blow-hards.

[–] PM_ME_VINTAGE_30S@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 2 years ago

Pretty sure it's just an ordinary "low-key" American flag design modified to fit in with the existing color scheme. The ordinary red, white, and blue flag doesn't match well with some (~~any~~ most) color schemes. IMO it's only as weird as pasting an ordinary American flag to your car...which is weird, tacky, and seemingly endorsing American imperialism in any capacity, but not particularly abnormal (unfortunately).

[–] Fubar91@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (12 children)

Marketing for money based on target a wide variety of audiances that the companies what to appeal too.

Trucks abd the like tend to be more appealing to the blue collar work force. Which in the US, your blue collar work force seems to lean more to the conservative side of the political spectrum. Your military is massive comparatively to most places, which bleeds into your culture. And finally some people just like the astetic mixed with USA pride aspect of it.

Correlation doesn't imply causation. So it could be them supporting the south in the civil war or it could be because they just like a black or blue chrome or w.e american flag that matches their vehicles paint job.

It's a mix of possible reasons and not eveyone who's patriotic is an asshole driver. You'll have to ask the people being assholes with the flag next time what their personal message about a cosmetic peice is.

[–] zelifcam@electricpaper.love 4 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

you’ll have to ask the people being assholes

That’s fair. However aggressive trucks on the road is the only reason I know they exist. I’ve calmed my post down a bit as you’re right. It’s not everyone.

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee 0 points 2 years ago

It's almost as if it's better to get to know the person than to make rash judgments based on what you read on the internet.

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[–] c0mbatbag3l@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

Well, I find it hard to believe that the south was flying the flag of their direct enemy, though they might have had a version of the Confederate flag I suppose.

Mostly it's just self proclaimed patriots, the majority of whom never served and the ones that did are usually not combat veterans but will tell you all about how they definitely went to BUD/S and totally would have been a SEAL except they got medically separated, etc.

Or, they just like the flag in general as an aesthetic. It doesn't have to have a special meaning necessarily.

[–] teamevil@unilem.org 1 points 2 years ago

Traitor or Nazi flag

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee -4 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Its an American flag, it looks cool, and it matches most truck colors.

[–] adroidBalloon@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (43 children)

it’s not, though. it was used by Confederate traitors to signal that they’d rather be killed than be taken prisoner, and it’s used today by traitors to say the same thing.

https://www.biscaynetimes.com/viewpoint/the-‘no-quarter’-flag-and-its-threat-to-america/

[–] betterdeadthanreddit@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

As mentioned by a few other posters in this comment section, that's not the only explanation for the use of that color scheme. In my opinion, it's also not the most likely explanation. I believe this is a case of veterans who saw and wore the monochrome flag due to it being a uniform item for situations where full color would not be appropriate. This is why you'll find brown or black versions of the shiny metal insignia that an officer might wear in the field: a sniper picking targets would be smart to seek out people in leadership roles to maximize the chaos following an attack and shiny metal stands out. Also why you don't salute officers in those situations (unless you don't like them and want to see if there's a good marksman on the other side paying attention).

Once back in the real world, some of those uniform items might end up as a decorative touch on bags or around their homes where they'll be seen by friends, family, coworkers, etc. and might make their way into general use. For most people, that's going to be how they've come to know things like the flags highlighted by the OP here and it'd be a mistake to read into it much deeper than that without other indications (e.g. southern traitor flag).

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[–] WookieMunster@kbin.social 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It’s the flag of traitors, FTFY

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I mean yeah, I guess technically America betrayed Britain, but thats the first time Ive seen anyone refer to the American flag as the flag of traitors.

Its not the confederate flag. Honestly, Im kinda confused. Are you a bot or something?

[–] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

No, the American flag in all black is literally a flag of traitors. The south used it as a symbol that they would rather die than surrender during the Civil War. Now whether or not somebody is actually intending to have that message or just wants a "cool" subdued flag is the questionable part.

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee -1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

They wanted a cool subdued flag. Like honestly, do you read your own comments?

[–] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I agree with you. I think that they think they're being "cool" and patriotic while actually being completely ignorant to flag code and about the no quarter flag.

[–] Blamemeta@lemm.ee -1 points 2 years ago

Flag code only applies to actual flags. Not badges, shirts or any other examples you can come up with.
Not a no-quarter flag. Look at the examples here. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_quarter

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