I’m sure you’ve all seen it: the Instagram photos of girls with the American flag draped around their shoulders. They’re showing that they’re proud to be American, right?

No. Actually, by draping the flag over their shoulders, they’re actually disrespecting the flag and the Flag Code.

According to section 176 of the Flag Code, “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery” aka you should NOT drape it over your shoulders or wrap it around your body like a towel. That is the American flag, and it should be respected. It also shouldn't be worn as apparel, but that's a rant for another day.

I understand it looks cute and patriotic, but it’s wrong and disrespectful.

I know many people didn’t even know that they were disrespecting the American flag, but please inform them. Let people know that by trying to show off your Americanism, you’re actually disrespecting America and the flag.

There are other ways to show off your love for America and the flag, without actually dishonoring the flag. Holding it up and letting it fly free is just as effective and does not go against the Flag Code. This is one example of how to properly hold the flag:

Our flag is our nation’s symbol of honor, respect, and freedom, and it should be treated as such. “The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” So next time you want to take a cute and artsy Instagram photo, think about what you’re doing. Disrespecting your country is neither cute nor artsy.

I understand that people will think that one photo won’t do any harm, but people will see the photo and think it’s okay and also begin to do the same, like a domino effect. You never know who will see your photo, and it may hurt someone, especially someone who fought to protect our country and the flag.

Disrespecting our nation is not cool, so please quit doing it.

For more information on the Flag Code, check out USFlag.org.