Flagphobic?
June 14, 2007 on 3:43 pm | In Main, National |
Oh, and before I forget, today is Flag Day. I would be flying mine, but when I lived on Foote Avenue in Canaan, my flag and mast were stolen right off my front steps (maybe that’s why I moved away from that neighborhood). I have been too lazy to replace it.
A little food for thought: Last night, as I was walking in to the Salisbury Central School gym to watch the graduation, I saw a car with a bumber sticker that read “No flag is large enough to cover the shame of the death of innocent people” or something to that effect. Since the car also had an anti-Iraq war sticker, I assume its owner was referring to “innocent” civilian deaths in Iraq.
Someone help me with this: Why do people on the left so often denigrate flag flying? Over the years, I have heard lefties talk about unsophisticated “flag wavers” as if no one who flies a flag ever considered the implications of that action.
Unfortunately, I think the problem is that lefties associate flag waving with blind patriotism or unquestioning accptance of the actions of one’s government. Nothing, of course, could be further from the truth. That flag stands for freedom — a concept we all cherish. Ironically, as SCOTUS has correctly ruled, our flag also stands for the right to burn it in protest.
What a country!
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Terry, I guess I don’t understand your question. Who on the left is denigrating the flag? It sounds like that bumper sticker, perhaps inartfully, objects to using patriotism to justify killing innocents. It is true that the flag is more a symbol of the right than the left, ever since Readers Digest sent out car window stickers of a billowing flag in the late 60’s. But to suggest that lefties hate the flag is as ridiculous as to suggest that righties hate granola. It is wrong to think that conservatives or Republicans have a lock on patriotism.
Comment by Peter Halle — June 14, 2007 #
Peter,
I appears I did not make myself clear. I’m not even remotely suggesting anyone has “a lock on patriotism” or even that lefties “denigrate the flag.” I have, however, heard them denigrate “flag waving” as if to say it is done mostly by know-nothings or automatons.
Patriotism can be used wrongly by left and right, but for some reason many on the left seem uncomfortable with overt displays of it. This is unfortunate, as liberals are just as patriotic as conservatives, libertarians and socialists. Why the left allowed the right to co-opt the flag as its symbol is beyond me.
Comment by Terry — June 14, 2007 #
Many people I know think that “waving the flag” means you support an “America is #1″ or “America Rules” attitude, which used to be so much a part of the Olympics during the Cold War. And certainly as a child in the VIetnam era, I thought that the flag was a pro-war symbol–the opposite of the peace sign. What’s more, Nixon wore a flag in his lapel. That was a big turn off. Yes, I remember those flag decals on cars. My grandfather had one. I thought it was a symbol of his Republicanism.
Comment by William — June 14, 2007 #
Green DAy has a song called Holiday,
The lyrics go:
“There’s a flag wrapped around a score of men
A gag, a plastic bag on a monument”
And it’s the plastic bag thing that catches me… covering up the statue of sadam hussein.. a bit symbolic.
If I hear the word “Flag WAving” I automatically think of the Republican “Redneck” or “Country Music” stereo type….. that put out songs about blowing up a country “like it’s the 4th of july” and kicking someone’s ass is “the american way”
Comment by fred — June 14, 2007 #
When the right tried to appropriate the flag, the left should have waved it right back.
Comment by Terry — June 14, 2007 #
Language has a nasty way of being appropriated by many self-intreset groups, not only to the detriment of the people using that language, but for the cause itself.
“Support the troops” now has the connnotation of being a right wing, neocon-supporting catch phrase which does a disservice to a wide variety of– and diametrically opposed politically– people. In it’s literal sense, the most ardent progressive can support the dignity of people who are engaged in the US armed services and still be totally opposed to the war in Iraq….but it hasn’t worked out that way.
Part of the problem is that people just don’t think; nuance is too difficult.
Four legs good, two legs baaaaaaaad.”
Comment by Doug Richardson — June 14, 2007 #
Terry, I was pretty sure you were not questioning the left’s patriotism. But you opened the door to that, and there is little doubt that sentiment is fostered by the WH. btw, I bring out our wonderful old flag on Memorial Day and July 4th - but what in Heaven does Flag Day stand for, apart from a flag which is itself symbolic?
Comment by Peter Halle — June 15, 2007 #
About the original question as to why people on the left don’t embrace “flag waving”, I’ll lend my perspective, as I consider myself left-leaning on most issues. There’s something about “blind patriotism” that annoys me. I think of those folks who ardently wave the flag in terms of what they must look like to the rest of the world (especially third-world citizens), and think that it probably comes off as flaunting our wealth and assumed superiority.
I think in the long term, the only solution is for us to be more humble as a country. It’ll take a long time to undo the damage that the current administration has done.
On the other hand I did go out and buy a flag after 9/11. In the immediate aftermath it did feel like the right thing to do to fly the flag in solidarity. But by now, with the way the Shrub has completely bastardized our reaction to that event in order to occupy Iraq, I no longer feel compelled (or even proud enough) to want to display an American flag at my home. I do have a cousin who’s spent a lot of time in the Middle East in the service of our country and besides being immensely proud of him, I support all the military personnel who are serving there or anywhere else. But at this point publicly displaying an American flag has (for me) connotations that I’m not interesting in advertising. That is to say, I don’t want to lump myself in with the people who are taking this country in the wrong direction. Others will obviously feel differently, but hopefully this gives my perspective for you to mull over.
Comment by charlie derr — June 15, 2007 #
Charlie,
I appreciate your concerns. But it’s always been my feeling that the flag (and indeed this nation) are bigger than any one administration. There is so much good out there going on in the USA that has nothing to do with our government but rather with spirited and caring individuals trying to make better lives for everyone.
That having been said, if I were traveling to Europe, I would probably wear a Canadian flag patch on my jean jacket. After all, I wouldn’t want to invite an argument (or worse).
Comment by Terry — June 16, 2007 #
Wendell Berry, a rural leftist whose Mad Farmer’s Manifesto is a model of “Small is Beautiful” ideology, put it this way:
“Denounce the government and embrace the flag. Hope to live in that free nation for which it stands.”
Sums up Patriotism in a Democracy rather well, I think.
Comment by Tim Abbott — June 16, 2007 #
Exceedingly well said, Tim.
Comment by Terry — June 16, 2007 #
Thank you, Tim.
When we say the “Pledge of Allegiance,” (everyone, try to recall the last time you did so) it is “to the flag” and the republic for which it stands - meaning the people, not the government. There is liberty and justice for all, and we all stand under God.
Comment by Karen — June 18, 2007 #