By the time American general Christopher Gadsden designed the flag, Franklin’s metaphor had taken on a life of its own. Our flags intended for patriotic cheer—like the Gadsden Flag—are being considered racist. To find the answer, we need to delve into the history of the United States before, during, and after the American Revolution. Because of its use in modern times as a political statement, the Gadsden flag has become something of a controversial symbol. The bright yellow Gadsden flag, long a symbol of support for civil liberties and disagreement with government, has its beginning deeply rooted in the days of the American Revolution. That’s true of any emblem, flag, or another object throughout history. Gadsden, who was often called “the Sam Adams of the South,” was delegate to the Stamp Act Congress, delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, and commander of the 1st South Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army. It was here that Washington's troops—the young continental army—had been so low on gunpowder that they were ordered \"not to fire until you see the whites of their eyes.\"Soon enough, a merchant ship was returning to Philad… However, there is no apparent source for the original quote. Political groups or parties may hold an opinion based on whether they use and agree with the underlying message of the flag. Benjamin Franklin’s commentary and “art,” featuring a rattlesnake cut into sections as colonies and imploring colonists to “join or die,” spoke for many Americans at the time. Like any other symbol or phrase, the iconic Don’t Tread On Me quote and its flag have become murky in meaning over time. Many companies have created hats, apparel, updated flags, and many other items for fans of the Gadsden flag, but many people have reservations about purchasing and displaying such products. But perhaps what’s most intriguing about the Don’t Tread on Me message is the fact that banning it from polling places, political debates, and flags flies in the face of what Gadsden and other colonial Americans intended when they revolted against Great Britain. In Gadsden’s time, his values involved owning and selling people. Here are a few notes on the flag’s symbolism, written by his friend and colleague, Ben Franklin. GunBacker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. But after Nazis adopted it, the emblem lost its appeal across our country and the world. When it comes to speech, it’s even harder to connect racially-charged intent with the apparel someone is wearing. Y’all know, the yellow flag with the coiled snake. In the 1970’s, Americans saw a resurgence in the symbolism of the rattlesnake in some Libertarian groups. Where does the madness end? Because Great Britain is no longer a threat, does that mean the flag should fade into obscurity as a Revolutionary relic? He led Sons of Liberty in South Carolina starting in 1765, and was later made a colonel in the Continental Army. While every American is free to interpret the Gadsden flag any way that they want, there are limitations on the use of the imagery when it comes to others’ rights. His state, Minnesota, maintains a ban on political apparel at the polls, and the court argued whether the shirt and its message counted as political in nature. Many assume that the phrase is cautioning the government and other people in general against trying to take rights away from gun owners. In a recent case, there was a formal complaint against a federal Agency where the complaint alleged that the Agency subjected him to discrimination on the basis of race (African American). The investigation concluded that use of a symbol could be harassment, depending on the context. Instead, here’s the real story you need to be reading. As recorded in the South Carolina congressional journals: "Col. Gadsden presented to the Congress an elegant standard, such as is to be used by the commander in chief of the American navy; being a yellow field, with a lively representation of a rattle-snake in the middle, in the attitude of going to strike, and these words underneath, "Don't Tread on Me!". It features a yellow background and a coiled rattlesnake that appears prepared to strike. The EEOC had already decided that wearing a Confederate flag T-shirt constituted punishable harassment, but they also extended that ruling to other political speech. The Gadsden flag features a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field over the famous motto. This was the … Without a concrete understanding of its history, it’s easy to see how the flag may not convey the same ideals as it once did. Particularly in modern times, the Gadsden flag has been flown in the hands of many different races. Originally introduced during the American Revolution, the flag has since become associated with libertarianism and the Tea Party movementin the 21st century. U.S. history is being rewritten and forever changed. The Gadsden Flag was intentionally designed not to convey a racist message, but a patriotic one. Possibly the most common interpretation of the Gadsden flag today involves gun ownership and rights. It’s been around for hundreds of years, but where did the flag and its message come from? Many assume that the phrase is cautioning the government and other people in general against trying to take rights away from gun owners. No one is sure if his flag inspired the drums or if the drums inspired Hopkins. As it was initially intended, the meaning of the Don’t Tread on Me flag is full of both American bravado and pride. Christopher Gadsden designed the Gadsden flag in 1775, this is what we think of today when we hear the phrase, “ Don’t tread on me ”. An opportunity to capture supplies that they couldn’t afford not to capitalize on. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage, The rattle = the number of the Colonies united in America. It was used by the Continental Marines and is often used in the United States by conservatives as a symbol for limited government. Others use the image in politically-driven products or promotional materials. The Gadsden flag is full of history and meaning. Though the use of the rattlesnake could hold many meanings, its origins tell one specific story. Further comparisons pit the Gadsden flag against the Confederate battle flag. Still, Great Britain didn’t give up easily. Christopher Gadsden owned and sold slaves, according to historians, and although he called slavery a “crime” in a speech, his behavior didn’t change. For context into the time period, his fellow American patriot, and slave owner, Benjamin Franklin, actually helped him design the American rattlesnake symbol used on the Gadsden flag. Bu... America’s patriotic integrity is being called into question. Like Americans now dispute the meaning behind the Gadsden flag, there’s also a question of what constitutes “political” as far as freedom of speech is concerned. Chris Frenchak has over 20 years of firearms experience between sporting and responsible concealed carry applications. The Gadsden flag certainly was a symbol of rebellion in it’s original meaning. While the EEOC reviewed the record, they came to a conclusion that the Gadsden Flag originated in the Revolutionary War in a non-racial context. Soon enough, a merchant ship was returning to Philadelphia from a voyage to England. Through discussions over the symbolic meaning of the flag and its catchphrase, historians suggest that the phrase itself came from anti-British sentiments. America’s patriotic integrity is being called into question. Overall, these court cases struggle to pinpoint modern society’s interpretation of the flag and the message depending on the circumstances and setting in each event. Some of the Marines that enlisted that month in Philadelphia were carrying drums painted yellow, emblazoned with a fierce rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike, with thirteen rattles, and sporting the motto "Don't Tread on Me.". To accompany the Navy on their first mission, Congress also authorized the mustering of five companies of Marines. It’s a symbol that you could say is even more American than our Stars and Stripes or our national anthem. Eventually, the Minnesota man was able to vote, but the election worker took down his information after the disagreement. There’s also the fact that today’s Tea Party also uses the imagery, but the use of a political party’s imagery isn’t, on its own, an act of racial harassment. What means one thing to one person may signify something entirely different to another. In most cases, historians agree that the Gadsden flag is not racist. We live in a dangerous time. Gadsden, a colonel in the Continental Army, is believed to have gifted … No, the controversy surrounding the Gadsden flag is still relatively nebulous. In America’s birth, there is not only a strong sense of pride but also a sense of independence and dedication to what’s right. Historians point to Christopher Gadsden — a slave-owning South Carolinian — as the namesake for the iconic yellow flag. Welcome to the Battle of Bunker Hill. Fortunately, the resulting Revolutionary War eventually got the colonial Americans’ point across. The Gadsden Flag represents a time when America was in the process of fighting for its’ freedom and therefore a very important representation of American history. Such as when, in June 2014, assailants with connections to white supremacist groups draped the bodies of two murdered police officers with the Gadsden flag during their shooting spree. Officially Colonel Christopher Gadsden, the man we know as the original designer of today’s Don’t Tread on Me flag was an American patriot. The Gadsden Flag is a symbol of American independence and freedom, which includes a fierce rattlesnake, coiled and ready to strike, with thirteen rattles, and a defiant "Don't Tread on Me" motto. While one could argue that the origins of the Gadsden flag speak for themselves, it seems that there is more to its creation than was once thought. Christopher Gadsden was an American patriot. In recent news, both the Gadsden Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance, two bol... Sign up to receive our daily email and get 50% off your first purchase. That motto became part of the Gadsden flag—the same symbol that, 242 years later, is now being considered racist. When the colonies banded together to fight for their rights to govern themselves, they created an “alternative” government. As a firm believer in the natural rights of man*, I choose to see the benefit of … With the emergence of the Stars and Stripes design for the United States flag, Gadsden’s creation became a “Revolutionary relic.” However, like other symbols from the past, this one, too, has seemed to change over time. Likely, you have been reading news stories about how wearing the Gadsden Flag could be punishable harassment or how Colin Kaepernick didn’t stand during the national anthem. The Gadsden Flag is an iconic historical American flag that consists of a drawing of a coiled rattlesnake on a patch of grass with the phrase "DON'T TREAD ON ME" displayed below, all on a yellow background. Possibly the most common interpretation of the Gadsden flag today involves gun ownership and rights. If you don’t already own one, you’ve likely seen a Don’t Tread on Me sticker, hat, car decal, shirt, or flag at some point during your life. Another flag included a pine tree and the slogan “An Appeal To Heaven.”. Unfortunately, despite the original designer’s intent, every object, however patriotic, is up for interpretation today. Some caution that because Christopher Gadsden was a slave owner, people who fly his flag may be perceived as racist. While Franklin didn’t get his wish, the Gadsden Flag did find a place as the personal standard of Commodore Hopkins. 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