Ummm...LONG post.......
Wow...ok so I wanna say something. Anyone surprised at that little fact? hehe
Point A - I agree about symbology. Before we had written words, we had symbols for events of the world. That being said, the flag stands for ALL of America. It's not just a symbol of that which is written in our laws. It is a symbol of our constitution, our tax law, Bill CLinton, George Bush, our school systems, our local McDonalds, the World Trade Center, NAFTA, our prosperity as perceived by the rest of the world, the hungry children in the poverty stricken areas of every state, Native American reservations, the ugly history of the South, the Florida Keys and the people who vacation there, Timothy McVeigh, Mark Twain, the Mississippi River, the Grand Canyon, American military in other countries, the US Olympic teams....and the list goes on and on. THAT is why some people find it offensive. Our flag, Old Glory, is a symbol of America, good and bad. Now, as to whether or not it should be restricted. Perhaps it should if it offends within the borders of ANOTHER country. I doubt we would argue that point. Within the border of the United States, it should fly. Why? It is the flag of the United States of America. That's why. That is my opinion.
Point B - I've little education about Irish history. I'm currently on the mend in that situation. It's interesting the things that form our bias in thought. As Red and others point out...they have years of expereince in dealing with unrest, so I defer to this thought about flag waving that stirs the emotions associtated with violence within a country.
Point C - (This relates some personal experience, be froewarned you may disagree.
🙂 ) As most of you all know, I'm a Southerner. I was born and raised in Mississippi. I've seen the debate of flags and their offensive nature up close. I've lived all over this beautiful state and have seen the reasons for and against the removal of a flag. I've lived in areas where I, as a white female, have been the majority and at other times, the minority. I've seen racism (which is at the heart of the flag controversy in the South) rear its ugly head. I've been victim to it in being refused service at a gas station in a small town because the black man who was the proprietor didn't need "the money of some white bitch." This was on the day a pro-flag rally was held. I have seen rednecks brag about KKK meetings and cover their cars in "Confederate Battle Flags" along with hate filled bumper stickers. I have also seen the same flag be used to demean women of all races on more than one occasion. I've also seen the multitude of races (White, Black, Choctaw, Vietnamese, and Cajun to name a few which are prominant here) have the intelligence and heart to say, "It's a symbol of good and bad. How people choose to use it is their business." It's sad. There is more to the South than hatred. There is more than what was here 40 years ago. The flag being flown is a reminder of the past. But it can also be a reminder of change. As it flew over that as well. I see a different South than most. I live it daily. I see the good and the bad....and the bad getting better. I agree with Q and Strel, problems yes, but perhaps my son will see this portion of the country through his own eyes, rather than the remebering eyes of those who pre-judge because it isn't perfect yet. I seriously doubt that any area is free of predjudice, but perhaps our longing to hold onto (in the form of a flag) history that has such horrible evil and such lovely blessings somehow damns us as a region. OK, enough rambling on that one...just thought I'd toss in there a little snippet about how a flag can be see and used for purposes beyond it's creative intent.
Point D - For those of you who never thought of the lyrics beyond the ones we sing at football games, the following is the whole Star Spangled Banner. It mentions a "God" and I choose to insert my equal thought there as I'm sure "One's personal belief in the spiritual realms and the undecided thoughts of others" was just too many words and wouldn't rhyme.
🙂 All kidding aside, it's lovely sentiment from a man who felt moved to write it based on his love and his values. I choose to respect that. I get a little lump in my throat when I read it..and I think about it. Just thought I'd share.
The Star Spangled Banner
Lyrics by Francis Scott Key
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Oh, say, can you see,
by the dawn's early light,
what so proudly we hailed,
at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
thro' the perilous fight,
o'er the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets red glare,
the bombs bursting in air,
gave proof thro' the night,
that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
o'er the land of the free,
and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen,
thro' the mists of the deep,
where thee foe's haughty host,
in dread silence reposes,
what is that which the breeze,
o'er the towering steep,
as it fitfully blows,
half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam,
of the morning's first beam,
in full glory reflected.,
now shines in the stream.
"Tis the star-spangled banner;
Oh, long may it wave,
o'er the land of the free,
and the home of the brave."
And where is that band,
who so vauntingly swore,
that the havoc of war,
and the battle's confusion,
a home and a country,
should leave us no more?
Their blood was washed out,
their foul footstep's pollution,
no refuge could save,
the hireling and slave,
from the terror of flight,
or the gloom of the grave,
and thee star-spangled banner,
in triumph doth wave,
o'er the land of the free,
and the home of the brave.
Oh, thus be it ever,
when free man shall stand,
between their loved homes,
and war's desolation,
blest with vict'ry and peace,
may the Heav'n rescued land,
praise the Pow'r that hath made,
and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must,
when our cause it is just;
and this be our motto;
"in God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner,
in triumph shall wave,
o'er the land of the free,
and the home of the brave.
And wow, if you are still reading, I'm impressed.
thanks for taking the time.
Jo...who digs Old Glory.....and apologizes for the typos. Hope uyou could decode em.
😉
