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Prom season has given teens the chance to reenact their favorite looks from celebrities or, in some cases, take pride in looks connected to racism.

The latter happened in the town of Parker, Colorado last week, when a group of teens posed with rifles and the Confederate flag. Fox 31 Denver reports students from the Chaparral High School posed with the flag in Elizabeth before they got to the prom.

A mother whose son was in the photos told reporters the teens more than likely didn’t see the harm in their decision, since other parents were encouraging them to take the photo.

“When he got out there he was surprised that guns were brought out and the Confederate flag was brought out,” said a mother of one of the students in the picture, who spoke to FOX31 Denver exclusively on the condition of anonymity. “There were other parents there fully supporting it and taking pictures.”

Since going viral, many have questioned the actions of those who are still emotionally connected to a flag symbolizing a group that originally opposed the emancipation of slaves during the Civil War.

The mother, who wasn’t present at the time of the incident, says she’s disappointed that her son was involved.

“I think in their immaturity they kind of think it is a cowboy thing, but to have parents feed into it and support it is really upsetting to me,” she said.

Other students and educators were also troubled by the photo.

In a statement, University of Colorado-Boulder ethnic studies professor Arturo Aldama said, “The image is pretty disturbing, especially if they have real assault rifles in their hands. Not to mention, the Confederate flag and its legacy of white supremacy, Klan violence and the Jim Crow South.”

Since the teens were expressing free speech, they were not punished for their actions.

SOURCE: Fox 31 Denver | VIDEO CREDIT: NDN

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