The First Amendment protects many things that we Americans value greatly. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press just to name a few. However, recent news stories have brought more attention to one truly disgusting act also protected by the First Amendment: the burning or defacing of our nation’s flag.
While surfing the internet during class the other day (sorry mom), my attention was brought to a story regarding protests at a Trump rally. This headline wasn’t a surprise considering Trump’s track record. However, the photo tagged with the headline was an image that upset and angered me. A group of individuals, yelling and stomping all over our nation’s flag. The group calls themselves the “F***YoFlag Tour” and was formed in 2015. They started off their “tour” with a burning of the American flag on September 11, 2015.
This image remained in my mind for days and in response, I have a message: It’s okay to be frustrated with our leadership. I think we can all agree that our nation is flawed. But this course of action in dealing with whatever issues any individual or group may have is completely and utterly despicable. That flag means so much more than you or your problems. It means so much more than me and my problems, too. That flag flies over young men and women risking their lives at home and overseas, past and present. It serves as a reminder to them for what they are fighting for. It serves as a piece of comfort, a piece of home, in an unfamiliar and terrifying place. It serves as a symbol for the best the world has to offer: democracy. The only form of government proven to stand the test of time. Although your life is not stress or struggle free, it is free. Your ability to voice your concerns and make yourself known is a privilege. Your ability to stomp on that flag or engulf it in flames is a privilege given to you by that same flag. I hope you realize this irony.
In recent years, the Confederate Flag has been ordered to be taken down from various government properties. It has been branded a racist and disrespectful symbol with plenty of public attention. However, the defacing of our entire nation’s symbol by fellow Americans has received little to none. To me, this act is something more than illegal. It runs much deeper than that. Our nation's flag should be celebrated, every day. After all, it is the most recognized symbol of freedom and democracy in the world.
