Flags symbolize different things to different people.
Generally, to one group they symbolize patriotism, bravery, and military success.
To another, they symbolize mindless killing, inhumanity, and a stimulus to endless cycles of murder, destruction, and revenge.
Two veterans who fought courageously in the service of the United States had this to say about the flag:
“There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people for a purpose which is unattainable…. Modern technology has outdistanced the Bible. ‘An eye for an eye’ has become a hundred eyes for an eye, a hundred babies for a baby. The tough-guy columnists… who defended this [the bombing of Tripoli by the Reagan administration], tried to wrap their moral nakedness in the American flag. But it dishonors the flag to wave it proudly over the killing of a college student, or a child sleeping in a crib.” (Howard Zinn, World War II veteran, responding to bombing of Tripoli.)
“The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag. (Major General Smedley Butler, career officer, USMC, in 1933 speech.)
Perhaps we should honor some different flags on Flag Day 2012.
The Iraq Veterans Against the War, for example, is sponsoring the White Flag Warriors, a group of veterans who travel the country, introducing people to Operation Recovery: The Right to Heal Campaign.
Or learn about the Peace Flag Project at http://www.thepeaceflagproject.org/, inspired by Tibetan prayer flags. Make your own peace flag.
For many people around the world, the American flag has become a symbol for imperialism, capitalism, and inhumanity.
Should we not work to make it become a symbol for “liberty and justice for all”?
Kathie Malley-Morrison, Professor of Psychology