I never thought that I would ever fly the American flag, much less take pride in it. As stated in my poem “Lingering Reality”:
As awful and unpatriotic as it may seem to you
I laugh at the thought of the “Red, White and Blue”.
It symbolizes freedom justice and equality
(But the flag doesn’t mean a thing to me).
It is just a piece of cloth which symbolizes words.
True freedom, justice and equality are totally absurd.
But after maturing and changing from the rash and brash “militant radical” that I used to be called (and maybe still am), it is my opinion that there is nothing wrong with flying Old Glory. I have come to realize that regardless of the racial, social and economic ills within this country, it is still the place where I was born and raised. It is the country where my ancestors battled and died so that I could have the freedom that I have today. I realize that this country’s industry, infrastructure, and economic prowess are in large measure built upon the blood, sweat and tears of black men and women since America’s conception. In this sense ,and spirit, I take pride in my country and flag. This is my country, regardless if I am subject to institutional racism and socioeconomic inequities, and I am not going to let others’ actions hijack my ideals of the America that I know can become a reality.
Blacks are too easy to discount the ongoing struggle of our people when we proclaim that America is not our country. Even in all its imperfections and injustices, America is the birthplace of African Americans, and the American flag symbolizes the spirit upon which this country is based—the spirit of freedom. We must remember that it is not the flag, per se, that is the problem within America, it is the people who fly the flag without reflecting on what the flag truly represents: “…one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Ironically, it is for this very same reason why many blacks will never fly the American flag. Why should I, as a black person, fly the flag of a nation that systematically treats me as a second class citizen? To be sure, in the eyes of many blacks, the sight of the American flag invokes images of hypocrisy so profound, that if it were not so sad in its reality, it would almost be ludicrous. This is why I really can’t blame some blacks for not even thinking about hanging the flag from their houses, car antennas, mailboxes, etc. I am sure that some of us are wondering why many whites just don’t follow the example of a few people that I have seen in my hometown. They fly the Rebel flag at full-staff all of the time, even immediately after such catastrophic events like those that happened on September 11, 2001. These unenlightened “good ol’ boys” are at least being truthful to themselves, even in the midst of their ignorance.
