Over the weekend a story that seemed unavoidable here in the Pacific Northwest was the Clackamas Town Center Relents, Allows U.S. Flags and while the details of what drove the Mall administration to it's decision to require the Flag removed I can only speculate from personal experience that the U.S. Flag is usually displayed not as a symbol of patriotism but rather a tongue in cheek way to display xenophobic beliefs and outright bigotry.
"Patriotism threatens free speech with death. It is infuriated by thoughtful hesitation, constructive criticism of our leaders and pleas for peace. It despises people of foreign birth who've spent years learning our culture and contributing their talents to our economy. It has specifically blamed homosexuals, feminists and the American Civil Liberties Union. In other words, the American flag stands for intimidation, censorship, violence, bigotry, sexism, homophobia, and shoving the Constitution through a paper shredder? Who are we calling terrorists here? Outsiders can destroy airplanes and buildings, but it is only we, the people, who have the power to demolish our own ideals..." (Barbara Kingsolver)
Published on Tuesday, September 25, 2001 in the San Francisco Chronicle
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And Our Flag Was Still There
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by Barbara Kingsolver
re-posted from commondreams.org
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