I have a feeling people will interpret the image differently depending on age. To me it looks intentionally altered to have the look and feel of a most wanted photo or a screen grab they’d show on the news in the US when reporting Middle East conflict. Particularly what you’d see in the 90s and early 2000s post 9/11.

Counterpoint I have a workplace where browsing Lemmy would not be NSFW but I don’t want to deal with someone being judgemental if they happen to look over my shoulder.

It’s easy when you only need to care about your own needs. Try saying that with a family and kids…based on your comment I suspect you can’t.

Who’s they? A population of 300 million people? The USA is large and diverse, it can’t be simplied in the way you’re describing just like the EU couldn’t. Social media and meme propaganda doesn’t represent a country and it’s people.