Without context, the photograph can become a meme.

With context, it becomes evidence of a community response to cross burnings, racial threats, and a planned rally.

The difference between meme and history is explanation.

What Hayes Pond Says About Fear

Fear works best when people believe they are alone.

The cross burning in front of one household tells that household: you have been singled out.

The public rally tells everyone watching: this organization has numbers, symbols, and permission to act.

Hayes Pond broke both messages.

The targeted families were not alone.

The Klan did not control the county.