There’s been a lot about flag burning in the news and on
social media lately. There have been cries from well-meaning patriots to outlaw
the practice, impose fines and jail time, and even make it a felony. While I
personally find the act reprehensible, I think there’s more than at stake here
that just what appears on the surface.
For better or worse, the flag has different meanings to us
all. Some see it as a sign of freedom. Some see it as a sign of nationalism.
Others a sign of racial inequality. Some simply see it as the standard of the
United States of America. But to others, it means so much more. To some, the
flag represents their hero; their son, daughter, mother or father, brother or
sister, husband or wife, who gave their life in the service of their country.
It drapes their coffin and stands as a symbol that their life had purpose and
their death was not in vain. It represents the promise of the American People
to families of the fallen that we will never forget their sacrifice and that we
are forever grateful for their service and that we owe them a debt that can
never be repaid.
To others, the flag represents American Exceptionalism, or
the idea that the United States of America is the greatest country in the
world. To those that subscribe to this belief, the flag stands as a symbol of
hope, courage, bravery, and the freedom to pursue one’s dreams. It stands for
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It stands as a stark reminder of
all the times America has stood up against the evil forces of the world and
said “Not on my watch.” It reminds them of all the good our country has done
and continues to do. It represents the movement to bring freedom to all peoples
of the world.
Still to others, the flag is seen in other, more negative
ways. It reminds them of the faults of our country and the difficulties we
still continue to face. It reminds them that inequality, poverty, and discrimination
still exist even after all these years. In those red stripes, they see the
protests, crime, violence, and injustice that sometimes plagues us as a nation.
They feel marginalized, hated, and
victimized because their American Dream has turned out to be a nightmare.
The thing about our flag though is it represents all of
these views and they are all legitimate. Our flag is a symbol of who we are as
a nation, as a culture, and as a people. It represents us all. It represents
the liberty that we have to have our own opinions and views on any topic we
wish and to express that opinion without fear of reprisal or censorship. It
represents our freedom. And to me, that is worth protecting.
To those who seek to outlaw flag burning, I get it. It’s about
respect and honor. But if we did that, we lose a part of who we are. There’s a
quote from Star Trek: The Next Generation that reads: "With the first
link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured...the first thought
forbidden...the first freedom denied – chains us all, irrevocably."
If we outlaw flag burning, we take away peoples’ rights to self-expression
and we limit freedom. To me, that’s a blow to who we are, and to what makes
America great. Sometimes this is what our freedom costs. Sometimes it means
looking right in the eye of someone doing something you hate, and respecting
their right do it. It means trusting in our Constitution. It means recognizing
that those that fought and died for us, fought and died for them too and for
them to have the right to do what they are doing. Freedom is costly. Freedom is messy and
sometimes uncomfortable, but I can promise you, it IS worth it.
“Don’t let anyone tell you that America’s best days are
behind her, that the American Spirit has been vanquished. We’ve seen is triumph
too often in our lives to stop believing in it now.” – Ronald Reagan
