November 4, 2009
I pledge allegiance to the flag. I learned this pledge in public school, but for some the pledge of allegiance may have been initiated even in Sunday school.
As a youth, your emotional identity with the flag may have started at High School Football games and later through patriotic celebrations.
The American flag was conceived as a flag to provide a group identity to the thirteen colonies, rather than each colony having its individual flag. Now it seems as if the flag has become an issue dividing us into groups rather than a symbol of unity. The American Flag is much more than just a symbol for military strength and patriotism. The flag is a symbol of all that makes our country unique.
But, I believe the flag is being abused by some to draw a line in the sand for those with a desire to institute another requirement for displaying visible sincerity or proving ultimate loyalty to a political party or other organizations.
I see the American Flag as a symbol of our democracy and as such it is also a symbol for all expressions of life in these our United States, not just what we determine is valid for us or our group. It is a symbol of the freedom to worship not only the Christian faith but also the freedom to worship any and all religions. It is also a symbol that assures us the right - or perhaps even the obligation - to separate the worship of our God from our involvement in political expression. The flag is a symbol of the power of the family involving a man and a women as well as families established by two men or two women. The flag is also a symbol of our failures, reminding us that many in our country are homeless or without food and adequate health care. The flag is not only a symbol of compassion and inclusion, but also a symbol of those who take advantage of others for personal gain out of their individual greed.
We are a nation of diverse thoughts and diverse expressions. We celebrate the symbolism of our American Flag but we need to understand that the flag represents our total diversity, both good and bad, and not just what we choose. Honor our Flag but don’t misuse the flag by using it to identify your own group or exclude other groups. The flag should not be used to identify people possessing what you consider are the only correct answers or displaying the greatest patriotism. If the American Flag has become another opportunity to indicate separation within our society, then the important symbolism of the flag has been lost. Our country is great because of cooperation, not division.
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