7 Comments
User's avatar
Kathryn Westlake's avatar

I still fly the American flag, I refuse to let it be a Republican flag or a right wing flag or a MAGA flag. It should be for democratic ideals and I sincerely hope a majority of us still believe in those things and can rebuild a government that lives them out. The 4th of July is all about no kings.

Expand full comment
Erin O'Brien's avatar

I agree with your every word.

Right after Biden got elected, I remember people waving flags with such joy. I thought OMG, I missed the flag. I hadn't realized just how weaponized it had become under Trump.

Expand full comment
Randy's avatar

Happy Holiday,

Glad to see you posting again.

I grew up in Alabama, born 1954, so the "Stars and Bars" or alternatively "The Battle Flag of Northern Virginia" , the "Confederate" flag, have been regular sights throughout my life. For many the civil rights struggles of the 1960's familiarized the flag as a symbol of White Supremacy, which, even today, is a source of vigorous debate among "Southerners".

But even before finding this post in my email I was looking at an American Flag, the "Stars and Stripes", out my bedroom window, I assume displayed for Independence Day. I am still uncertain and am sure I will ponder this issue for some time now but I can't ever recall thinking that the Stars and Stripes has replaced the Stars and Bars as the primary symbol of White Supremacy in America.

I suppose time will tell.

Best,

RJ

Expand full comment
Erin O'Brien's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Randy. The ongoing weaponization of the flag sickens me. I'm not sure what the American flag symbolizes anymore.

Expand full comment
Tom Burnett's avatar

Sadly, it’s become a symbol in so many instances of everything bad about society today. Thanks for trying to reclaim it, but I see little to celebrate on our 249th birthday.

Expand full comment
Erin O'Brien's avatar

And thank you for your readership and thoughtful commentary.

Expand full comment
Erin O'Brien's avatar

Tom, I'm not trying to reclaim it, I'm just placing a few dots on the arc of its demise.

Expand full comment