The Soiling of Old Glory

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A black-and-white photograph depicting white teenager Joseph Rakes as he prepares to assault Black lawyer Ted Landsmark with a flagpole bearing the American flag. Captured on a brick-paved courtyard or street between two large buildings in downtown Boston, Rakes is pictured in profile on the left side of the frame, his feet spread wide in a forward stance. He is holding the United States flag with both hands, parallel to the ground, the top finial of the flag pole pointing towards Landsmark. Landsmark, wearing a light color suit with vest, is on the right side of the image, being restrained by another man. Landsmark is looking down, standing on one foot with his proper left arm held out at his side and his other arm behind him. There is a crowd of protesters gathered on the street, and another violent skirmish is happening directly behind Landsmark, the participants mostly obscured.

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