Is Flag Burning an Effective Form of Protest?
YES
“An incredibly poignant and concise way of criticizing America”
The American flag is not just a flag. It’s representational, a symbol of the government it was created for. Arguing that the flag is just a piece of cloth and it should be OK to burn it because of that is misunderstanding the semiotic nature of the human brain; assigning meaning to things is an innate part of the human experience. That being said, I feel like I shouldn’t need to argue this point. The Supreme Court already discussed this topic in three different cases, all of which supported flag burning. In Texas v. Johnson, the court found that “the expressive, overtly political nature of [burning the flag] was both intentional and overwhelmingly apparent.” And that’s the heart of the issue; because the flag is a representation of America, burning the flag is an incredibly poignant and concise way of criticizing America, for any number of reasons. People did it over the Vietnam War, and people do it now to critique any number of hot-button issues. Burning the flag is ultimately an exercise of the First Amendment, and the backlash against it is fueled by a desire to silence criticism and free speech. Burning the flag isn’t disrespectful to troops; if they’re fighting for their country, they’re fighting for the Constitution and for free speech. What it is doing is conveying a message, a message inextricably linked to the reality that it’s only allowed because of the laws and philosophical foundations of America. Those who criticize flag burning are asking people not to exercise their right to symbolically argue a point, and America was founded on the criticisms of a previous government. If anyone is being unpatriotic, it’s them.
—Blair Selph
“They are literally demonstrating how America the ‘free’ is falling to ashes”
The first word that comes to mind about why I defend the act of flag burning as a form of freedom of speech is perspective; a particular a way of regarding something. Many people who have had different experiences in America may have differing opinions of whether or not flag burning is okay. Many minorities residing in America are currently feeling oppressed and disrespected in what is supposed to be a “free” country; One that is rid of discrimination of any human being and one that embraces all of it’s citizens. From the perspective of someone who is black and American-born, I support flag burning because I feel that it provides a powerful metaphor of what this country has become over the years. The view of someone who has no reason to feel oppressed may be different than one who has dealt with repeated experiences of discrimination. The Muslim ban is that President Trump has passed is a prime example of ostracism in America. The ban restricts anyone form Syria, Sudan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, or Iraq from entering the United States which endangers the lives of thousands of refugees. The United States Syrian refugee program was suspended when the ban was passed. White privilege see flag burning as a symbolic act. Flag burners may resort to desecration because they want to send the message that they feel left behind or mistreated by those who are more privileged. I believe they are literally demonstrating how America the ‘free’ is falling to ashes. The symbolism means that this country is becoming what it was not originally intended to be when it was founded, which is a place free of restriction of rights of the people. I don’t think flag burning is done with malicious intent, but rather an attempt by the disrespected to make their feelings known.
—Courtni Branch
NO
“They want to express their dissent with the entire country and everyone in it”
The flag can symbolize many things, from the people of our nation to the deep rooted problems in America. The flag itself is just a piece of fabric, it is what the person thinks about it that makes it so sacred or even hated. The flag embodies everyone in the nation and everything it stands for. The citizens are why America exists. Without the people, there would be no such nation. I don’t believe that people resort to flag desecration only because they disagree with the government, but also because they want to express their dissent with the entire country and everyone in it. The United States rose from settlers, pilgrims, veterans, and everyone contributed to the story one way or another. It is also reprehensible to those who risked their lives in combat, who proudly hold the American flag, never letting to touch the ground, to see it burning. The flag’s value is determined by the people. To some, the flag represents the deep, ongoing problems of this nation, but to others the rights and people. If someone were to burn the flag, they may just be adding to a problem.
—Saharuss Jiradevong
“We as a nation should come together”
When I see the flag, I see a symbol of our amazing country. We are allowed to have freedom of speech, we are allowed to have our own voice and we are able to be who we want to be. People in other countries don’t have the rights that we get to have—and we have all of this because people have sacrificed themselves to make our country better. Nobody agrees with everything the government is doing, and we protest because we don’t agree with something that is going on. But when people burn the flag, I feel like they are disrespecting our country. You can’t communicate with the other side if you are waving around a burning flag. We can protest, but please do not burn that beautiful piece of cloth. Norman Thomas, a 20th Century Presbyterian minister, once said, “If you want a symbolic gesture, don’t burn the flag, wash it.” If your values are worth fighting for, the symbol of those values deserves to be protected.
—Carina Norris
