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Take Back the American Flag
Create an America based on liberty and justice for all.
I stayed with a friend in Palm Springs, California, in May, and he showed me where the Obamas have a house.
We couldn’t get a good look because it’s tucked away, but what we did see was a very tall flagpole with the American flag waving high in front of President Obama’s house.
God bless America.
Not long ago, Black and white Americans alike flew the American flag with pride. Everyone, regardless of cultural, ethnic, or religious identity, put their hand on their heart when the anthem was sung at sporting events.
Because of all of America’s deep faults and issues, and how some of us got here, we’re still American. Most of us were able to separate our love of country from the disdain any of us might have for a particular government or bad policies and systems. It was considered very American to fight for freedom.
But something happened in the past decade or so that changed that.
The American flag started becoming a symbol of right-wing ideology. Like the right has a monopoly on how to define patriotism, and in some circles, the flag even became a proud symbol for racists.
It’s become commonplace to see extremists fly the American flag alongside the Confederate flag. Even some fly our flag next to a Nazi swastika flag. You know, the flag of the bigoted, genocidal fascists we defeated in World War II.
The U.S. military has had to crack down multiple times on the use of swastikas and Confederate flags among its ranks.
So, it’s no wonder with all the American flag–waving racists why some Black folks and their allies and friends became uncomfortable with the red and white stripes.
Dave Chappelle once joked that as a Black man, he loves the American flag; but when he’s driving with some friends through Texas and passes 10 houses in a row with a flag, he’s like “We gotta get the fuck outta here.”
Of course, there are deeper reasons than 2023 racists co-opting the flag for people to not want to put one on their front lawn.
