Holly Springs, NC, Jan. 10, 2026 — When authorities appear masked in public-facing situations, whether during enforcement actions or crowd control, the explanation is usually straightforward. Masks are worn for safety, to reduce health risks, or to protect against harassment or retaliation. In some cases, they are standard equipment.
But masks do more than serve a practical purpose. In the United States, they also carry meaning. That meaning has been shaped over decades by history, experience, and the exercise of power in public spaces. As a result, the sight of masked authority can elicit responses that extend well beyond the stated rationale.
The scrutiny stems from the fact that masks are not culturally neutral. Masked and hooded figures have long been associated with intimidation, violence, and the exercise of power without accountability. Those associations remain part of the public’s collective memory, and they influence how similar imagery is understood today, regardless of intent…