Burning of the American Flag The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and The Star-Spangled Banner. These are all names of the American flag. A flag unites people into one nationality and one country. Many people have their own opinions, some say that the flag represents freedom while others say that the flag represents their nationalities. Throughout history the controversial topic of whether or not the disrespecting of the flag should be allowed has been discussed. In 1988 the U.S supreme court made a vote deciding that a person has the right to express this agreement by burning the American flag. However even though it was an executive decision it should be eradicated. The burning of the flag disrespects the most loved and important symbol of a nation and its people which is just immoral. …show more content…
Old glory represents our country’s people, culture and values. People all throughout the world should respect the flag of any nation as it symbolizes their freedom and independence. Brave veterans once stood next to our flag in war fighting to protect us and our flag so that it would not be taken from us. While saying the pledge of allegiance one swears to respect and defend the country and everything it stands for. Therefore, when a person decides to burn the flag some consider this as an act of treason. In fact, burning the flag is an example of disorderly conduct. Burning the flag in a public event puts many people at risk of getting hurt. Burning a flag may not only hurt people but, it may also start a fire and ruin buildings. Also, it may be considered as an act of hatred causing people to act violently towards one another. Veterans and other patriots of our country may be strongly offended by this action. Therefore the burning of the flag should be illegal as it can hurt people, offend veterans and other patriots, and be considered as an act of treason or hatred towards the
Modern proponents of the Confederate flag cite several reasons for their support, but the central theme is that the flag is historically significant. Cooper & Knotts (2006) found among other reasons that support for the flag was by white southerners who feel “a connection to the south” (p. 152). Supporters feel that the flag stands for freedom from an oppressive government, and that it serves to honor and remember those ancestors who died during the Civil War. Beyond that, supporters are divided again, as Martinez (2008) said, “’Heritage preservation’ traditionalists see themselves as guardians of southern inheritance of honor and chivalry while a second group of traditionalists, most notably the Ku Klux Klan, espouses racist views” (p. 200).
Some have stated that there are other methods of protest to convey the message in a less disrespectful and violent inducing way. Although those are valid points the question is, whose fault is it for the sense of disrespect and violence? Much like Martin Luther King’s protest, flag burning is often nonviolent, but people’s reaction to it causes violence. The point of flag burning is to express political feelings, the violence and feeling of disrespect are side effects opposers create. Also, as previously mentioned, some dislike the method of protest used in flag burning.
The general argument made by author William J. Brennan in his work, “Majority Opinion,” is that it is legal to burn the flag if it is a form of political protest. More specifically, Brennan argues that we can not criminally punish people for burning a flag: the only thing we can do is convince them that they are wrong. He writes that they only thing we can do is “ Persuade them that they are wrong.” In this passage, Brennan suggests that criminally punishing a person for burning the flag will decrease the values of the flag by opposing the First Amendment. In conclusion, Brennan’s belief is that we should not punish people for burning the flag, but convince them that they are wrong.
As we know the confederate flag is the most debated topic as, in should we take it down or keep it up to represent the horrible past by it has behind it. The war the blood and the sweat the history of this flag is so bad and wrong and should be taken down why would anyone love a flag like this and know the true meaning behind it. The flag is actually the Battle Flag of Virginia. It was placed to represent white supremacy it was only used as the official flag for two years.
Reasoning: (Brennan, J.) The majority of the Court, agreed with Johnson and held that flag burning constitutes a form of "symbolic speech" that is protected by the First Amendment. " A law directed at the communicative nature of conduct must, like a law directed at speech itself, be justified by the substantial showing of need that the First Amendment requires." The majority concluded that the Texas law impermissibly discriminated upon viewpoint.
The Court ruled that yes, burning an American flag was symbolic
Although some people believe it is disrespectful to burn the flag, we as American have the right to protest in a non-violent manner. Whether someone believe burning the flag is alright or not, they still want to be treated equal despite their
Eventually, In Alabama, “In 2000, a Southern independence rally at a capitol complex drew a crowd of 2,500 with many waving the battle flag and calling for the flag to be restored to the top of the dome” (Leib & Webster). Taking the flag down for good created anarchy among the proud Southerners and flag supporters in Alabama. Just like the Confederate States for succession in the late 1800’s, the Southern Independence Union gathered together to create a rally for protesting against their right to have the
The majority of the case argued it was protected by the First Amendment. In my opinion, even though it is protected under expressive conduct I feel it is wrong to take it out on a symbol of unity, the American Flag. Put aside the fact that people do it to get their point across but their
Next, the confederate flag should not be flown on government property, because it has conflicted history. The confederate army changed the flag 4 times during the war, so the flag flown today is not the original flag. That is not very traditional. The second confederate flag had a large white stripe that went halfway down the middle, which represented white supremacy. The rebel flag still represents white supremacy and racism, because it was the final battle flag used in the southern states’ fight to keep slavery.
The confederate flag was a sign of the confederate states and the fallen tributes in the war. The flag never ceased being the flag of the Confederate soldier and still today commands wide respect as a memorial to the Confederate soldier. African-American newspapers decried the flag’s popularity
In another article, Judge: man won’t be prosecuted for flag ‘desecration’, I found this quote “Allegheny Township police charged Brubaker with two flag desecration crimes. Maliciously hanging or taking down a flag and mutilating a flag.” I understand that this isn’t against the law, but I also feel the actions from the 2 different men were very wrong. I feel like people should never do this because it is like they are trying to express they hate America and hate being an American. The last reason why the flag should be protected from desecration is because it is a symbol of how amazing of a country the United States really
The confederate flag is immediately recognizable in the back window of a pickup truck or portrayed on the t-shirt for Lynrd Skynrd and Credence Clearwater, but has come under stark criticism. The argument is a multi-faceted assault, by, both restricting first amendment rights of free speech, restricting a symbol of southern heritage, and a person ’s right not to feel threatened by an assumed racist epithet. It is a simple piece of fabric, the red and blue Southern Cross, which divides a nation much as it did 150 years ago when it symbolized the fight against oppressive laws. Many believe that the Confederate Flag is representative of the patriots who were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the nation and individual rights the founding fathers envisioned, however today, liberals and minorities have made the claim, the confederate flag is racist rather than a simple symbol of southern pride.
Although, the flag represented the people who risked their lives in the fight for freedom. The fight for freedom was
Johnson case, more and more people are taking advantage of the outcome. The results of people's actions are not just burning the flag, they are disrespecting the symbol of unity as a whole. For example, a teacher from Massey Hill Classical High School in North Carolina stepped on the flag during a freedom of speech lesson. “His goal, he said, was to teach them about how the country’s free speech protection have evolved over time” (Hawkins). There are other ways to demonstrate to children how protected their freedom of speech is.