Where are the Flags?

In the days following 9-11 and in the first few years on its anniversary flags were flying from so many homes on our street.  These flags were our way of showing solidarity with one another and with our Nation.  This morning there was one other flag on our street besides mine.  I walked around much of the neighborhood – several streets, many many homes – and counted a total of 11 flags including mine.

It’s not just the flags.  In my morning paper, aside from an editorial that was more about the current Colin Kaepernick controversy than it was about 9-11, there was nothing to remember this date.  We still get at least one story on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, reminding us of its history and telling us what happened, so why not 9-11?

I understand that many these days seem to take pride in not taking pride in their Country or in being American.  It’s fashionable to deny our Country’s many successes (most recently planting the American flag on the moon), and to blame our Country for a world’s anger, including blaming ourselves for the terrorist attack on our country 17 years ago today.

But still, what are we teaching our children?  I live on a street that is the direct route to a middle school, so many young students pass by the homes on this street, walking or in parents’ cars.  Imagine the pride that might well up inside of them seeing a street lined in the flag of their country.  Imagine their curiosity and demand they might have to understand the history of the event that gave rise to such a display.    But, instead, what do they see?  Just another day.  These young people may not even know about 9-11, and apparently it is not something that many think is worth remembering or teaching.  If they do know about this historical date, they see from the actions of their neighbors that it really doesn’t matter.

Being proud of this Country, showing solidarity with it and its people, recognizing that despite imperfections we are one Nation, indivisible, and always striving for liberty and justice for all are not bad things. One can be proud of this Country and hold views that differ from one’s neighbors.  Disagreements are not something that should result in shame about the Country that fights for and protects the rights to have such disagreements.

Yes, the flag is a symbol.  But our flag is a symbol of all the rights and freedoms that we hold dear. It represents our solidarity as a Nation.  Let us teach our children that.  And let us never forget 9-11.

Flags and Identity

Flags, for ages, have been carried into battle on behalf of the country for whom the flag bearer is fighting.  When victory occurs, the flag of the victorious country is often planted by those who fought for that country and its victory.  People generally wave flags on behalf of a country of which they are proud.   “National symbols-in particular, national anthems and flags-provide perhaps the strongest, clearest statement of national identity. In essence, they serve as modem totems . . . signs that bear a special relationship to the nations they represent, distinguishing them from one another and reaffirming their identity boundaries. Since the inception of nations, national leaders have embraced and adopted national flags and anthems, using them to create bonds, motivate patriotic action, honor the efforts of citizens, and legitimate formal authority.” (Symbols and the World System: National Anthems and Flags by Karen E. Cerulo).

Let’s look at some depictions of this use of a flag to honor one’s country and its victory.

1-A drawing of the raising of the Islamic flag at the conquest of Constantinople, 1453 CE:

2- U.S. flag raised atop Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima, soon after the mountaintop was captured at on February 23, 1945:

3- The hoisting of the Red Flag over the Reichstag May 2, 1945 has come to represent the ‘total victory’ of Soviet Russia over Nazi Germany in the Second World War:

4-Flag planted on the moon to show U.S. pride in landing there before all others:

5- “Victory Monument”, erected at Puthumattalan, Sri Lanka, in memory of its War Heroes:

These are but a few examples of the use of a flag to honor the country which one serves.  There are even computer and board games which involve planting a flag to gain territory or otherwise gain points for the persona or country a player represents.

Now let’s look at one more photo:

These are Honduran flags raised at the U.S. border by alleged asylum seekers.  To me this photo is not unlike those others in which the flag holder raises it proudly on behalf of his country against an enemy. 

So, here is what I don’t understand.  If these individuals are fleeing Honduras, why do they proudly and assertively hold that country’s flag as part of a border protest as they seek asylum in the country whose border they appear to be assaulting?  Why do they proudly wave the flag of a country they are running from?  If these individuals found their home country distasteful enough to partake in the long caravan toward the U.S., and if they were so desirous of entering the U.S. that they did not take time to seek asylum in closer countries, then why do they seemingly assault our borders on behalf of their homeland's flag when they arrive?

Recently, I read an article pointing out that we need to separate the words “immigration” and “identification” in our national debate.  This photo suggests the wisdom of that.  I believe that most in this country are not opposed to legal immigration.  I also believe that many understand the need for a national identity for a country to survive.  Many of those who seem to be against immigration are actually against creating separate mini-countries within this one.  This photo, of individuals assaulting our border wall while proudly waving the flag of another country, suggests that the fear of our country’s identity being dissolved into factions of competing cultural identities is not without a basis. 

This country consistently opens its arms to those who wish to come here because they appreciate what this country is – its culture, its way of life, its laws, its government, and what it stands for.  Our culture includes diversity and respect for customs, religions, and traditions of others, but it also includes a cohesive national identity.  We are a melting pot; but, we are not a multicultural society.  When someone claims to want to become a part of this country but does so while assertively waving the flag of another, one simply wonders what it is that they really are seeking.

Walls and immigration laws allow us to ensure that those who want to enter do so because they want to join our country and participate in all its benefits as well as its responsibilities.  They allow us assurance that once within this country, those here will be proud to wave the American flag.  The current call for open borders would allow the planting of many flags within this country and in so doing would dissolve the concept of country itself.  In essence, an open border would represent our planting of a white flag, the flag of surrender, to a divisive doctrine of multiculturalism and identity politics that will ultimately destroy us.