Respecting the Flag

Students:

Overall the essays are good and I'm happy with people's understanding of Durkheim. I want to address an issue that has often come up. Many of you wrote something like "everyone" or "people around the world" respect the US flag "because it represents freedom/justice/liberty..." for all. This statement is oversimplified: we are taught these things are true in school, and the flag certainly represents these ideals for many Americans, probably the vast majority.

But consider the next image, one of the most iconic of all US flag photos.

http://www.iwojima.com/raising/lflaga2.gif

Remember, this is during WW2 on the island of Iwo Jima, representing our forces having taken that island during combat. I think for many Americans this is one of the most meaningful images we have of the flag, which is why there is a bronze memorial of this in Washington D.C. But try to think about this from another perspective: many people around the globe do not see the US flag as bringing liberty and freedom but have only experienced it through war and occupation. The Iraqi crowd in the following video clearly does not have the same intent when burning the US flag does than a patriotic protester:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-390469035965280618&q=us+flag+burn&ei=D6gQSM7QK6LQ4ALEk627BA

This does NOT mean that the flag is not the US totem, however. It just means that we have to be specific when discussion who the 'clan' is that has a special relationship with the flag. Precisely because it is such a potent symbol of desecration for those critical of the US reaffirms its status as totem. But it is impossible to defend the statement that 'everyone' loves the flag or believes it represents the ideals it is supposed to.