Reclaiming my flag
It was early in the pandemic when deliveries were arriving at our doors. One delivery man noticed the American flag hanging at the front door. He commented that flags hanging outdoors these days are few and far between. The home owner shared the forty-year history of the flag that honored family and friends who served in the military. It used to mean a lot. Suspecting they shared different points of view, she felt compelled to tell him what he may not have noticed- it was hanging upside down- a sailor’s distress signal. It was not a validation of current administration policies.
The interaction was polite but rather than facing another encounter, possibly with someone less accepting of the perspective of others, she folded the flag into a triangle, according to ceremonial tradition, put it in the front hall closet until it was taken to the dry cleaner. When returned, the fabric was frayed and faded; it mirrored the emotions of a COVID-19 and election fatigued nation.
Over 150 million flags are sold and flown every year in the US — in school classrooms, government buildings, stadiums, embassies- that is a lot of flags. Flag etiquette is complicated. There are protocols for daily raising and lowering times, requisites for height, when to fly at full or half-staff, and regulations for weather conditions, and holidays. Caring for, maintaining its condition, and properly retiring flags is all part of the code.
For some, flying the American flag holds deep, personal meaning. When a traveler loses a passport, the flag flying outside the American Embassy is a welcome sight of home and safety. For others it shows respect for family members and friends who served and/or lost their lives defending democracy. And there is nothing more sobering than seeing a casket of a soldier or veteran draped with the American flag while Taps is being played.
History shows the flag is resilient; surviving the battle at Fort McHenry, its planting on Iwo Jima, desecrations, and abuse. A sacred and emblematic symbol it represents each of our states and the essence of valor, innocence, and justice. Flags cannot be used as fashion statements or burned in public political displays. But over the past four years, flying the American flag has become political, partisan, and controversial. Some home owners lowered the star and stripes and tucked them away.
Once yellow ribbons dotted neighborhoods awaiting the return of soldiers from war. Homeowners are now posting banners and yard signs sharing publicly what they are thinking and discussing inside their homes. Signs serve as advertisements and public reminders about issues that matter: racial and gender justice, kindness, and women’s rights. We make efforts to find the common language of inclusivity and compassion to unite us on a local level.
The President’s use of the flag has been both litigious and melodramatic-from his super-sized flag and the height of his Mar-a-Lago flagpole, to his position of imprisoning flag burners. Six American flags evenly distributed with North Korean flags on stage at the Capella hotel at the Hanoi summit in Singapore, sent a message of parity between the US and the North Korean government. While North Korea gloated, America shuddered. And the President’s hugging, kissing, and declaring his love for the flag upon his arrival on the stage of the CPAC convention served as another political photo op and a flagrant abuse of the flag. Like the image of holding a Bible on the steps of St. James Church, the flag has been another example of mistreated sacred items, and in this case, a gratuitous disrespect for Old Glory.
The Rally ‘round the Flag effect or syndrome is a relatively recent concept that explains sudden support for a specific international or national crisis. Displays reflect unity, patriotism, popularity or approval ratings for the President, or bipartisan support for a Congressional decision. Often short-term, military casualties, foreign wars, or attacks on our homeland inspire community and are seen as rallying cries for unity.
The symbol of America is perceived differently by each side of a bifurcated nation- setting up societal divisions of good versus evil, the political right versus the Democrats, or revisiting the North versus South. It is a complicated Venn Diagram.
In one circle of the diagram people fly the Confederate flag on pickup trucks or alongside tiki torches at rallies triggering thoughts and acts of nationalism, opposition, division and support for the President. COVID-19 and science are viewed as hoaxes, the news is fake, and wearing masks is considered an infringement on our civil rights. In the other circle, people are isolating in their homes, wearing masks, and following science and rules.
In the middle of the Venn Diagram is democracy, diversity, freedom, and gun laws, the climate, the environment, foreign policy, immigration, vaccinations, and the economy. But like the psychological optical illusion of the candle sticks versus the faces, each camp sees the issues and the solutions in very polarized ways. It might take a Solomon to bring these disparate groups and our flag, together again.
Election results brought demonstrations, dancing in the streets around the world and many American flags. Celebrations by masked revelers symbolized hope, affirming that our democracy was saved. America’s reputation, dignity, and integrity would be restored on the world’s stage.
But America as a whole is not easy to love right now. It is an imperfect union and the American experiment has a long way to go; there is much that needs to be repaired. Right now it is a gigantic construction site. Healing and rebuilding a splintered nation, uniting its people, trusting government, and ending division will not be easy.
Like Rosie the Riveter, our sleeves are rolled up as we anticipate COVID-19 vaccinations. Recognizing an opportunity for a fresh start, we are better positioned to rewrite the story of America and restore the true beauty of a compassionate America- not the spacious skies, amber waves of grain, fruited plains, but the ignored and ugly infrastructures of humanity that need our immediate attention- personhood, equality, opportunity, and justice for all- from sea to shining sea.
