Recently, TikTok user @tiktok_hates_me went viral with over 280 thousand likes as she cuts and burns a Confederate flag, saying that “I’m white, I’m redneck, but never racist.” At first, many were excited that this user, Danielle, was apologizing for ignorance in not understanding the meaning behind the flag.
https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok_hates_me__/video/6970518657004866821?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2F&referer_video_id=6970518657004866821&refer=embed&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
The Confederate flag represents slavery and white supremacy, as this was the flag the Confederates used when fighting for slavery in the Civil war. Danielle comments that she grew up in the South where they often do not teach the true meanings behind the flag and use it as a sign of Southern pride or heritage. She notes that not only was she not taught of the history behind the Confederate flag, but many people growing up in the South did not either and that is why they often use the Confederate flag.
https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok_hates_me__/video/6971205458359094533?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2F&referer_video_id=6970518657004866821&refer=embed&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
TikTok’s Response
Many people praised Danielle, noting to “normalize growth” and how they were proud of her for being willing to grow and learn about racism, despite people around her who may disagree. With the video growing with already one million views, many have commented that what Danielle is showing is the bare minimum. Surprisingly, she responded to this comment defensively.
https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok_hates_me__/video/6970811548344306950?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2F&referer_video_id=6970518657004866821&refer=embed&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
Instead of taking the time to learn, just as the previous video suggested she was doing, she complains that “nothing is ever good enough for the internet.” She notes that she attended Black Lives Matter rallies and is in the process of removing all Confederate flag decor in her house while also teaching her children what the Confederate flag represents. Additionally, when told that “white people are dangerous,” Danielle comments that it is not the color of someone’s skin that matters, because anyone can be scary or dangerous.
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https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok_hates_me__/video/6971271008019877126?referer_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailydot.com%2F&referer_video_id=6970518657004866821&refer=embed&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
Instead of understanding how racism affects people and how dismissing racism as “anyone can be dangerous,” she deflects the comments completely by trying to argue how skin color is not the problem even when the system is built to protect and build up those of a certain race. Though Danielle made steps in the right direction, she still has a lot to learn and many comments were quick to point this out. Others tried to compare the burning of the Confederate flag to burning the pride flag or the US flag. These comments, however, do not understand how the Confederate flag represents a history of racism while the pride flag does not, and how there are laws against burning the US flag. Burning the Confederate flag represents a protest and understanding of the racism behind it.
