A TikTok video of a Southern White woman burning the Confederate flag while apologizing has gone viral with over 492,000 views on social media.
Danielle, who goes by @tiktok_hates_me on TikTok, said she grew up in the South and was never taught the flag—associated with the Confederacy and the glorification of the Civil War—symbolized White supremacy and slavery.
In the video, Danielle is seen cutting the battle flag from its pole and lighting the corner of it with a lighter.
The words superimposed over the video read:
"I'm sorry if I ever showed I was 'racist' from a flag. We burnt it tonight!"
"I'm sorry our culture taught us this was ok, it's not."
"I'm white. I'm redneck, but never racist. RIP to this racist flag."
She added the hashtags, #endracismnow2020 #endthestigma #ally #blm #imsorry, in the post's caption.
@tiktok_hates_me__ Visit TikTok to discover videos!
Many praised her for being the change.
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
Others, also from the South, related to her situation.
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
In a follow-up Q&A format video, a user mentioned she was doing the "bare minimum," to which she had a response where she did not mince words.
"What the f'k do you expect me to do? Support Black Lives Matter? Because I do."
She said she traveled to a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Florence, Alabama last year during the pandemic to show her support for all people of color. "I don't even live in Alabama," she emphasized.
The BLM ally also said she was in the process of getting rid of any other Confederate-related items she owns and she plans on educating her children about racism.
Her kids were present when she burned the flag.
@tiktok_hates_me__ Visit TikTok to discover videos!
People encouraged Danielle in the comments and reminded her she was not obligated to respond to critics.
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
@tiktok_hates_me__/TikTok
Danielle added:
"If something is hurting enough people for it to be an argument, it's time that we have to change."
