Editorial | The complexities of the American flag
Illustration by RUPALI INGLE, Illustrator
Ever since we learned how to figure out the equation “2 + 2,” how to color within lines and how to differentiate between red and blue, we knew the Pledge of Allegiance forward and backward. We even recited it every morning before class for the entirety of our childhood education.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.” When we were five, this sentence had no meaning to us. It’s just what we were told to say – no questions asked.
Maybe now’s the time to start questioning.
As we’ve grown older and learned more about America’s history, it’s become increasingly difficult to justify devoting our loyalty to a flag – a piece of fabric that’s supposed to represent “liberty and justice for all” – when it’s, in fact, also represented systemic oppression for so many years. Most recently in the past four years, the American flag has been used in conjunction with “Make America Great Again” hats and pro-Trump flags to illustrate a twisted sense of nationalism.
Thus, the American flag encompasses complexities far greater than Betsy Ross possibly intended in 1776. It portrays both oppression and hope; its original sentiment of a proud symbol for our country has morphed into the hatred, division and anguish present in our country.
As President-elect Joe Biden was announced the victor of the presidential race, trends surfaced of social media accounts posting videos of their neighbors taking down pro-Trump yard signs and American flags.
Conversely, at Biden’s Nov. 7 victory speech in Delaware, American flags were proudly waved in support of his projected election win. At that moment, the flags were meant to be optimistic. But we can’t simply forget all the flag has represented over these past four years, let alone these past two centuries. Waving the flag isn’t such a simple thing anymore.
It’s become an ethical dilemma.
Biden will soon take office, but how does that mean we can reclaim the original pride we felt for our symbol of freedom? We understand the reason behind wanting to be patriotic given a new administration. But in reality, nothing has been resolved and it probably still won’t after Biden’s four years in office are up.
It’s hard to envision a place where equal opportunity and inclusion, systemically, has improved. In government agencies, in medical care, in economic and educational fields, systematic inequality still reigns. Our country is far from “indivisible.” It’s more divided than ever.
There’s of course other contexts for the American flag outside of the duality of oppression and hope. Many use it to honor their family members in the military, who fought to see the United States and its people live on and prosper. Burial flags often commemorate a veteran who died in active duty and symbolize their brave sacrifices. Yet even that concept presents incongruencies. How can we honor our courageous troops with something that simultaneously symbolizes the abhorrence of America?
America has let down its own flag. What was once supposed to be a symbol of hardiness, valor, purity, innocence, vigilance, perseverance and justice has since been clouded and shrouded by fear, corruption, immorality and discrimination. Can we proudly wave the flag in support for Biden when that same flag is held high next to confederate flags at white supremacist rallies?
We don’t have the answer. And that’s scary.
Will we ever truly feel proud of the country we live in? We don’t know. We’ll see if this administration gives us something that makes us proud to be American, but one term isn’t going to reverse the hundreds of years of oppression.