"Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of the sacrifice of our nation's founders and heroes. As the ultimate icon of America's storied history, the Stars and Stripes represents the very best of this nation." This is a quote from Congressman Joe Barton. To me this quote summarizes why flag protection is important, because the flag represents several things. Firstly and most importantly the Flag represents those that have govern their lives and sacrificed so much to ensure that the flag can fly to represent the continued freedom through the past, present, and future of the United States of America. Because of what the flag of The United States of America represents it is of extreme importance that the flag is not treated wrongly and that it is properly respected. We can and should do this by ensuring that we treat the flag not just as a piece of fabric but an extension of our selves something that represents those that have given all to protect what the flag represents and what we stand for as a country life, liberty, and freedom
Today it is saddening how many incidents one hears about of people mistreating the flag in various ways. One has to look no further then the news to find numerous examples of both domestic and foreign disrespect to the
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flag in The United States and abroad. However; the major limitation in Government prevention of desecration of the flag because of the Supreme Court Case Texas v. Johnson (1989) which ruled that the Government could not create laws against the defilement of the flag because the Supreme Court ruled that it violated the first amendment. To me protecting and ensuring that the flag is properly protected is of extreme importance and I feel as though there should be a government protection of the Flag. It is upsetting that people can freely disrespect the flag as they please because there is nothing that can be done to prevent desecration
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).
It is clear to see that flag burning causes tension, good tension as MLK would call it, that causes attention to be drawn to a topic and forces people to acknowledge the problem. Destroying the American flag is a powerful method of protest that says “This flag is useless because America is not what it is supposed to stand
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.
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).
One year later, United States v. Eichman was decided by the court as the Flag Protection Act of 1989 that would have protected the American flag from desecration. However, the Court ruled it’s unconstitutional to punish persons for flag burning while protesting in political events. [ United States v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310
The flag represents the state’s southern pride and heritage for those who fought for their state. Taking the flag down all of a sudden would
The American flag is a symbol that every American is proud of, it also represents the ideas of liberty and equality. In the article “Dissent” it states, “If those ideas are worth fighting for – and our history demonstrates that they are – it cannot be true that the flag that uniquely symbolizes their power is not itself worthy of protection from unnecessary desecration.” It comes to show that our flag is our type of “role model” for us to be strong and defend our flag`s symbolic meaning.
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
The first amendment, Freedom of Expression, gives any American citizen the right to state their beliefs. The Confederate Flag is a southern belief. The flag did not go against the constitution in the Civil War, and it does not now. The government also does not have the right to take away our freedoms. However, some view the flag as a racist symbol.
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.
During a recent survey conducted by CNN showed that of the people polled, fifty seven percent agreed that the flag represented pride and heritage while thirty three percent agreed that it represented racism. The disagreement over what the flag stands for is part of the issue. The flag does represent southern heritage and pride, but part of that rooted in racism and hatred towards African Americans and other non-whites. The flag is a great part of our American history and therefore should not be written off and forgotten. It should be taught, discussed and shown to all in classrooms and museums, but should not be
At first, it was used during Civil war battles and was a memorial to fallen soldiers who had died fighting for their independence. If this was how it was received now, no one would have a problem with it, but as time went on, the perception of the flag started to change. In the 1940s, a Dixiecrat party was formed and they used the flag as a symbol to support segregation. Confederate heritage organizations tried to protect the flag from misuse by having several Southern states pass laws to penalize “desecration” of the flag, but this did not help. Confederate heritage groups lost control of the flag and its real
When a flag is presented in a rival that brings hate and discontent to America it should be removed from being displayed. I strongly am offended of the Confederate flag and my opinion is a lot of others are also offended. The constant reminder of the mistreatment and enslavement of the black race is still being suffered by black people today. The confederate flag brings grief to my heart as my ancestors were subjected to slavery.
It is the responsibility of every citizen in America to question authority, our government and its written and oral history, scrutinizing anything which has even a hint of uncertainty about it. All things true and just will stand up to the test of scrutiny each and every time. When it comes to the use of the Confederate Flag in the 21st century, only a full and complete scrutiny of the facts can determine the answer to this question. But to me the answer is clear, after close analysis and scrutiny, I personally feel that it should not be used or idolized in any form or fashion, but that is for you to decide, once you know all the facts. One thing I do know for certain, I will continue to admire, respect, and fly the American Flag high while appreciating its complexity and beauty all the
Stop Burning the American Flag! Ronald Reagan once said, “When we honor our flag we honor what we stand for as a Nation - freedom, equality, justice, and hope.” The Texas v. Johnson case is a vast problem that seems to be overpowering in today’s society. Since the case began there have been flag burnings all over the country, and no one seems to be concerned since people are not getting disciplined. People should not be burning the flag that so many people fight and lost their lives for.