Wednesday, November 5th, 2008. I woke up this morning and decided I wanted to wear a flag pin, for the first time in my life.
I'm sure I don't want to make a habit of it, because I believe in the conscious and conscientious use of symbols. In the wrong context, they convey the wrong message. If my country substitutes symbol for identity, flag for Constitution, if it loses its soul while fetishizing its trappings, I won't wear it.
The flag is not a sacred object.
If my country is engaged in an aggressive action against another, whether justified or not, I won't wear it.
The flag is not a bludgeon.
If there is an ongoing witch hunt for "un-American activities," or if the patriotism of American citizens is called cynically into question, I won't wear it.
The flag is not a talisman.
If a political party or any other entity lays exclusive claim to the flag, I will not wear it in their presence.
The flag is not a badge of status or virtue.
If my country signals a return to its ideals, if the best in us as a diverse people and a democracy is celebrated, if our shining potential is at long last collectively picked up and dusted off and recognized and embraced, even for one day, I will wear it. Because while it is something I carry around within me in the worst and best of times, on my terms, I am a quiet man. And wearing a small flag on my lapel, on my jacket, is my expression of the simple joy I know for once I share with many others around me in my city of passing, glancing strangers.
The flag, today, is my smile.
Now if only I knew where to buy one...
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
Man Talk Now
jay leffew
Jerry DeNuccio
Somyr Perry
Donna Sandstrom
Redstocking Grandma
Salon.com
Comments
Damn fine writing,........profound.
Awesome!
It feels good to be proud.
Very good.
(Thumbified. Get thee to a 7-11!)
I've always had trouble with nationalistic pride, since it always seems to be connected with arrogance and mean-spiritedness. It has always been easier to be appreciative of American ideals apart from American actions. Yesterday ideals and actions coalesced in a way I've never seen before. Obama was the catalyst but we the people were the agents. That's powerful stuff.
This "flag theft" would be the main reason the most recent poster/graphic on my blog so prominently displays the US flag alongside the words " I Voted for Obama" .It is my way to begin to recover this very powerful symbol. How many times were we told that if we don't support war, war, war, then we are in no way patriots? How many countries came to see the US flag as a symbol of arrogance, ignorance and greed?
I think the world may give us a new and clean slate. I hope we use it well.
Marco, thank you, you nailed it. The flag is a symbol. A symbol is whatever you make it. I bet you can buy one in any tourist/tzchockie shop. If you do, give us a pic of you wearing it.
I hope you're able to find one. Wear it proudly!
I was so moved by your writing and found the words that I haven't been able to summon myself on why the flag pin issue was so offensive. Thank you.
I will be happy to send you my flag pin if you are unable to find one of your own.
Thanks you! While watching the results in the late hoursTuesday , I suddenly saw myself moving into my new house and flying the flag for national holidays. It was one of the moments when I wept. It is a comfort to face Europe again without hanging my head in apology. We have reclaimed patriotism from the abyss. God Bless America.