ipl-logo

Flag Burning Persuasive Essay

1061 Words5 Pages

The U.S. flag was the symbolic representation of our thriving country, but these days the flag has different value to each of the citizens of our country. Over the past 40 years, we have had many heated debates about whether or not we should allow our flag to be burned. The latest debate about flag burning was sparked after the 2016 presidential election between Hillary Clinton (Democratic nominated candidate) and Donald Trump (Republican nominated candidate), both of which have in the past stated that they would want to ban flag burning and have consequences for those who burn the flag. However, Clinton changes her mind about flag burning during the 2016 presidential and wants it to not be banned, tearing our country in half. Riots have since …show more content…

Constitution states “ prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech”, which is the foundation of our country. Flag burning is an expression of speech that we should not take away from our citizens. As First Amendment Center explains “Dissent plays an important role in a democratic country where the people enter public debate on important issues” (First Amendment Center). Constructive criticism of our government only makes the country a better place to live; over the past 231 years we have made strides in improving our Constitution with constructive criticism from our citizens. We have ended slavery and allowed minorities to vote; all because we listen to the words of our citizens. Flag burning also shows the government that people are displeased with them as First Amendment Center describes “Flag desecration has been a message of dissent since the American Revolution when this nation's colonists burned the British flag, flew it upside down, trampled on it and altered it” (First Amendment Center). Years before the American Revolution, the Americans were fed up with the British Government and showed their displeasure by burning the British flag to tell them that they were dissatisfied by the Government. If the U.S. bans flag burning, citizens will have a harder time to voice their anger toward the government. The government will also miss out great constructive criticism from their citizens, that will further better our

Show More
Related

  • Summary Of Majority Opinions By William Brennan

    253 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Texas Vs Johnson Case Study

    470 Words  | 2 Pages

    Dissenting opinion for Johnson Is there any sort of consequences to someone if they burn the American Flag? In the U.S Supreme Court case “Texas v. Johnson”, Johnson was jailed by the start of Texas due to the desecration of the American Flag. The U.S. Supreme Court accepted his case, and the majority opinion of the case decided it was not a criminal offence to burn a flag because of the First Amendment. We the dissenting opinion believe that the burning of the American Flag should be a criminal offence.

    Read More

  • Stromberg V. California Case Study

    848 Words  | 4 Pages

    Using words to express opposition to the American government is generally accepted, but what about symbols or emblems? Does the right to free speech include a right to express views and communicate ideas via means other than literal speech? The Supreme Court was asked to decide this in the case of Stromberg v. California and they ruled that use of a flag to communicate ideas was, indeed, covered by the Constitution’s protections for free speech. Stromberg v. California: Background It was once common for state and local governments to regulate people’s speech; not until 1925 did the Supreme Court begin applying First Amendment restrictions to them.

    Read More

  • United States Vs Eichman Essay

    820 Words  | 4 Pages

    A 5-to-4 decision held that Johnson's burning of a flag was protected expression under the First Amendment and all charges were dropped. In response to this ruling Congress passed the Flag Protection Act Of 1989. “The act states that ‘whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.’ The act does not prohibit any conduct consisting of the disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled." (1989).

    Read More

  • Chip Reid's Argument Against The Confederate Flag

    876 Words  | 4 Pages

    People have been fighting over a flag for far too long. It is cloth stained with dye on a pole. Why does something made with cloth and stitches have to separate a country based on freedom? Some people argue the Confederate flag is an item of racism, and should be banned from being flown. Others believe it is “just culture” and “heritage”, nothing more than an item of history that can be used for learning purposes and historical Reenactments.

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Burning The American Flag

    559 Words  | 3 Pages

    Should someone be locked up for burning the American Flag? Yes, because the American represents unity and freedom between all 50 states. Most of the U.S. may have become emotional, because of what happened to the flag. Desecrating an American Flag was a criminal offense in Texas, as it was under federal law and in 48 of the 50 states. Johnson was arrested and charged with violating the flag.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: Was Johnson Burning The American Flag?

    420 Words  | 2 Pages

    That is very dishonoring for him to burn the flag. Many people died for our country to keep the flag up and high to show how great our country is. By Johnson for burning the flag he could have cause many people in danger if it got out of control. Burning the flag is a very dishonor to the United States and everything in between. The flag represents nationhood which gives us the freedom we need and want.

    Read More

  • Confederate Flags Right Or Wrong Symbols Of Southern Culture

    459 Words  | 2 Pages

    After all the Southern states used the same flag when they supported slavery and fought against the Union. To most people, the flag represents racial discrimination supremacism and injustice. To add to that, the recent incident in 2015 states that a mass shooting occurred that targeted African-Americans in Charleston, South Carolina (journalistsresource.org). After that incident, the South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley removed the Confederate flag. That same week there were a bunch of protesters on that street against the decision of Gov. Haley

    Read More

  • American Flag Desecration

    271 Words  | 2 Pages

    CRJU 1068 Should desecrating the American flag be illegal? The American flag is so loved because of what it represents; the land of the free. Unfortunately, that freedom also includes the ability to use or abuse that flag in protest.

    Read More

  • United States Flag Symbol

    175 Words  | 1 Pages

    The United States flag is an emblem. An emblem with many facets that mean starkly different things depending on the perspective, some not so pleasant. In the beginning with the best of intentions at heart this nation was founded and our flag stood for liberty, freedom, and justice for all. As the years have passed the meaning has shifted and molded to fit the ever changing ideology of those who call the United States home. ????

    Read More

  • Effects Of Flag Desecration

    305 Words  | 2 Pages

    A public flag burning in protest of a recently enacted law is protected by the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause. The desecration of flag burning is idiomatic to the 21st century. Flag burning became an issue in the U.S. after the Civil War and since that time has had a drastic history. "Congress passed the Federal Flag Desecration Law in 1968" (Head, 2017). The law banned all exhibition of abhorrence against the flag.

    Read More

  • Confederate Flag Should Not Be Banned Essay

    639 Words  | 3 Pages

    I don’t think it should be banned anymore than any other historical flag. Why do we have to try and hide and ban everything that reminds us of unpleasant things. In fact, when I look at the flag I feel a sense of pride in thinking back to the fact that the country came together to abolish slavery. It may have still taken some time receive equal treatment, but this is where it started. Stop seeing the glass as half

    Read More

  • American Flag Importance

    591 Words  | 3 Pages

    Virginia Foxx once said, “The American flag is the most recognized symbol of freedom and democracy in the world.” Americans should know that they live in the greatest countries known to man. People should not take the freedoms for granted and disrespect the American flag. The American flag should be protected against desecration because it is a symbol of freedom, the military uses the flag to honor those who fought for our country, and it represents historical achievements in American history.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay: Stop Burning The American Flag !

    595 Words  | 3 Pages

    The burning of the American flag should not be protected by the First Amendment. Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted of burning the flag in violation of the Texas Law. After a march, he burned the flag in protest during the 1984 Republican National Convention. No one was hurt during this demonstration.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Flag Desecration

    511 Words  | 3 Pages

    When it comes to the desecration of the flag the above view is one many would take contention with. To them, an act such as defiling the flag is speech so reprehensible that preventing it is a moral imperative. To prevent such actions is to disrespect

    Read More

More about Flag Burning Persuasive Essay

Open Document