The Wake

There have been few symbols throughout the course of history that have become as universally recognizable as the American flag. Though the number of stars on the flag has changed over the last two and a quarter centuries, the message that it conveys has remained unchanged, and the flag itself has become almost synonymous with freedom and liberty. For the past few decades, the issue of flag desecration has become increasingly controversial and has been the focal point of many debates within the United States Congress. These disputes mainly revolve around the constitutionality of the burning of the American flag and whether or not this type of symbolic speech is protected under the First Amendment.

At a time when there are widening gaps between political sects as well as increasing tensions between those who support current government policy and those who oppose it, the flag burning issue represents frustration with America and its current state of affairs. The United States Constitution clearly protects an individual’s right to self-expression through peaceful assembly, freedom of press and even the burning of flags. As a type of symbolic speech, the desecration of the flag is subject to the greatest number of government restrictions as far as what is deemed acceptable; however, it is my belief that the importance assigned to a change in current policy is unnecessary and unconstitutional.

Over the past two decades, there have been many attempts to pass an amendment to the constitution to make the burning of flags illegal, yet each and every one has failed to pass with the necessary majority of votes. Despite the ruling in the Supreme Court case Texas vs. Johnson, each attempt to make an amendment banning flag burning has come closer and closer to passing, the most recent failing by only a single vote. Those who believe the solution to the flag burning issue lies in an amendment to the Constitution are somewhat misguided; the underlying issues that are the ultimate cause of such acts of defamation against the United States need to be addressed.

Since the United States separated from England in 1776, it has been an individual’s right, and in some senses duty, to speak out against any and all injustices. It was on that same principle that the United States itself was forged from the discontent and outrage of the oppressed British colonists. If an individual chooses to burn a flag, his or her action is protected by the first amendment, but concurrently, it is the duty of others to investigate the reasoning behind such acts. Images of flags burnings in middle-eastern countries often fill the evening news; however, the statement made through such actions is one of complete and utter disregard for the traditions and ideals of America itself. It is the duty of the American people to uphold and defend the dignity of the United States and to make it socially unacceptable to express oneself in such a way that others are offended. One of the characteristics that differentiates America from the many other countries of the world is its sense of unity shared amongst its citizens. An individual who chooses to burn the American flag not only disgraces his or herself by engaging in an act of destruction but also creates a sense of disunity that is felt throughout the country. It is this unity that allowed America to rise to dominance in the world economy as well as the impetus that keeps America on the path towards future progress. The message conveyed through the burning is not a call for change rather it is an act of complete and utter disregard for the principles and ideals which the flag represents.

It is a complete and utter insult to our nation to allow such acts to take place; however, such acts are protected by our Constitution. To eliminate an individual’s right to burn a flag would be as grievous a violation of rights as removing the right to a fair trial or right to bear arms. While flag burning is a socially unacceptable, slanderous act against our country, it is important to preserve such rights and to be certain that no trend in the limitation of rights is started. In the future, there may come a time when burning flags may be a necessary expression of discontent with a corrupt government. Until there is a veritable reason that people should start to question the overall system of government’s ability to meet the needs of the American people, any grievances with current policy should be expressed through letters to legislators, votes at the polls and expressions of opinion that target individuals and their actions as opposed to an attack on an entire system of government. The true importance of the preservation of the flag is not to protect the piece of cloth adorned with white stars. Rather it is to uphold that which the stars and stripes have come to represent and what so many Americans have given their lives to defend.