When I was a little girl, I looked at a book with colored illustrations of flags. Compared to the emblems and gilded centers of others, I did not like the U.S. flag much. It was out of balance to my eyes, and the color scheme did not appeal to me. It was not so boring as all those European flags with only two or three horizontal color bands, but far less interesting that the ones with colorful emblems, or Japan’s elegant simplicity. I understood as I aged that the flag is symbolic, however, and that it represented notions of fairness and opportunity and liberty admired throughout the world.

Nevertheless, the reason I have never cut or damaged or worn the flag might signify less respect for our flag than artistic preference.

Still, a flag is a symbol and symbols matter.

A symbol is less important than what it symbolizes. It is less important than its people. It is less important than its ideals.

So I wonder sometimes, what people mean when they use the flag.

Men driving around with a flag hanging off the back of a vehicle seems less patriotic than disrespectful. The stars and stripes made into headgear likewise causes me to cringe.

I am loyal to my country, despite recent developments, despite the man in the Whitehouse, despite my discomfort with fellow citizens who get the news from shock radio and memes, do not read books, and perversely assume politics are beneath their notice. The 42%, give or take, who still support what this administration is doing to our global reputation.

Our reputation has already taken hits.

Who has the right to use the flag for their personal agenda? This is the Land of the Free, so anyone may. If some are offended by flag burning, let me say here that I am offended to see a United States flag wrapped around someone’s head or dragged behind their pick-up truck.

Some of my ancestors have been here a long time, the more recent arrived in the 20th century. My immediate family was born here, but distant and not-so distant relatives came from other nations including England and Mexico, Finland and Scotland. Those traveling north from south, west from east. The eldest moved east to west. Such is the passage of human migration, the claim of humanity on any land. The only claim I have on this soil is personal.

Just now the flag flying day and night in the yard of a house due south of me is hanging still. I do not display a flag, but I know that proper treatment of our national symbol includes taking it down unless it is lit in the dark. I know it is not proper to use this symbol of respect and righteousness as a bludgeon. I am sorry that my country is no longer a beacon light of hope in the world but become the bully on the block.

I will go out on my walk, and along the way I will greet other walkers, the roar of water constantly in motion, just as I must remain moving to be alive.

SaveSave

SaveSave