Burning the flag: In America people choose to burn their own national flag. To outsiders, it’s shocking. But in America the flag is protected as free speech. In particular the paradox is indicative of the strength of American liberty as well as how poorly citizens sense it for themselves.
The U.S. is one of the few countries that allow individuals to criticize their government publicly without risk of violence. In most countries citizens could protest leaders, say ugly things and even destroy national flags so they can. This is the freedom of the world.
As a protest, burning the flag is often done. They tend to be frustrated with government policies and/or wars or general society. They use the flag as a symbol of what they oppose. And so while the act is legal, does destroying the flag tell us something of our democracy, or does it show downplaying it out of touch with the nation’s past and to whom that country was erected?
Americans fought and died for the freedom and the freedom of the flag in the ages that the country stands for. Soldiers carry it along during battle and civil rights leaders march under it in front of them, and immigrants see the flag for inspiration. To burn it is to ignore this history. Freedom becomes a feeling or a sort of place which makes you happy when it’s normal. But to many around the world, Americans’ liberties we share are dreams that we won’t go to ever have.
But at the same time the ability to burn the flag without punishment underlines the resilience of America’s democracy. It demonstrates to us that freedom of expression is greater than symbols. A lot of the hurt in the process shows it to be as much liberty, but that does not keep it down. I suppose that that is the paradox of American values.
For Americans, the fact that their country as a country is not just one is a reminder: of the value of opportunity and dignity. Burning it is legal, but to honour it is wise. Respecting the flag means respect for freedom, a gift many people across the world want the most.
