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July 3, 2007

Many Reasons, One Flag

There are different reasons for our flag’s representation, but we should wave it proudly

Story by: J. Blankenship

The Shorthorn: Isaac Erickson

Our national flag is one of the nation’s most visible symbols that signifies opportunity.

Most Americans understand it represents freedom. We recognize freedom can’t be found just anywhere on the planet, so most of us proudly wave our flag, particularly this week. We own it. It is ours. We are free to interpret its meaning. And it means something different to every individual.

To some citizens, it’s free commerce and trade. To others, it’s freedom of speech and religion. Many see the flag as a sign of personal freedom, as a representation of a military state or as a political statement. One way or another, it still represents opportunity.

Since Americans have a wide variety of understandings and interpretations of the flag, we can confidently assume the same for non-Americans. And that means potential conflict of views, whether it is about our flag or another nation’s.

Recent heated debate on campus concerned displaying flags for international students in Nedderman Hall’s Hall of Flags. Years before that, people argued about flags appearing on clothing. And there was a time when Americans screamed as fellow citizens, in protest, burned Old Glory in public.

Americans engage in arguments about national and international flags without fear of being shot, beaten or dragged to the middle of the street. Sometimes they burn flags as proof of their freedom. They have the opportunity to speak up and out.

America is full of immigrants, whether they came here 200 years ago or yesterday. We are a melting pot of religions, ideals, cultures and motivations. Most didn’t arrive in America with glassy eyes and blinders. We all know this country isn’t perfect. Few came here bursting forth with great love for all aspects of the American way of life. They, like our forefathers, came here seeking opportunity.

The flag means different things to different people. And that’s very American. That’s opportunity. So wave your flag for whatever it means to you on Independence Day. We’re all here for the same reason, no matter how we label it.

“We have room for but one flag, the American flag,” former President Theodore Roosevelt said in 1907. “.... and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is the loyalty to the American people.”

— J. Blankenship is a communication senior and staff writer for The Shorthorn