Students throughout the United States grow up with the same ritual every morning before the school day begins. They stand up, look at the tricolored hanging piece of fabric on the wall and recite; “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America…” This becomes a daily routine from Pre-K all the way up to their senior year of High School; every day the same three steps before their day can “officially begin”. But, do they know the significance and meaning behind this flag? Do they know the sacrifice put forth to allow them to be able to stand and speak freely?
Most see the American flag, as well as the Bald Eagle, as a brand for the United States; something that can be put on t-shirts and olympic uniforms to say “I AM AN AMERICAN!”
The American flag is an image of freedom and and often seen as an example of what true democracy ‘should’ look like. The flag represents a power that is not to be messed with, it represents the wars and lives lost to get to this point. The sacrifice behind this parcel of fabric is the reason people can protest in the streets, the reason citizens can freely vote in elections, and the reason that anyone standing on this soil can speak their mind freely without fear of being imprisoned or tortured by their government.
The image of this flag is viewed for what it truly stands for, but it is also so much more. It isn’t just to be honored at sporting events or put on a festive shirt for the Fourth of July; when Betsy Ross sewed the first thirteen stars and thirteen stripes in 1776 it was a symbol of revolution and change, a symbol that anyone can make a difference with enough determination. This message is often lost in modern day’s materialistic views of most things; but we must all always remember the true heart and bravery placed in those initial stitches.
(RCL #1)
I like the topic of your blog post, but I would disagree with the overall message of your argument. The flag is an important American symbol, but I would argue that it represents imperialism as much as it represents freedom. The last real war for freedom was in 20th century, and since then our flag has been an excuse to invade and destabilize other countries. Also, Betsy Ross making the first flag is a highly contested historical fact, and many people believe it’s a myth.
The topic of your post is definitely a strong one. I would have to disagree with your blog. Yes the American flag is a symbol of America. But the symbol that is described in your post is not the symbol for us all. I would also like to add that there are a countless number of people who walk the American soil today who fear being imprisoned, fear being tortured, fear for their lives because they want to have the right to free speech. Waving the American flag wouldn’t change the fact. A lot of times, it is as though the flag and how it is looked at means more than the people who were intended to raise it, look towards it hold their hand over his or her heart, and pledge his or her allegiance to it.