Patriotic Integrity
With the upcoming Super Bowl on the heels of the Winter Olympics, I am certain the issue of patriotic respect will be in the headlines. Most likely we will hear more rhetoric regarding athletes kneeling during the national anthem.
As a Navy Veteran, I feel obligated to address the hypocrisy of those angered by an act of free speech. Football players kneeling during the anthem is no different than the athletes who wrap themselves with the U.S. flag during the Olympics – both are disrespectful as well as expressions of speech. US Code Title 36, chapter 3 stipulates that when the national anthem is played that “persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart.” While Title 4, chapter 1 lists the following requirements – among others – for respecting the flag:
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
Should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.
No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
(Note US Code can be reviewed online at the following website: http://uscode.house.gov/browse.xhtml)
Throughout any given year, the Title 4 statutes are repeatedly ignored in many ways. For example, at sporting events and political rallies (like our President enjoys having), where patriotism is encouraged, numerous people wear the flag like a cape or as an article of clothing. Likewise, most if not all of us proudly use napkins and plates displaying the stars and stripes on Independence Day. Many companies relentlessly use Old Glory for advertising purposes during sales events and the like. Yet, where is the collective outrage when this happens?
In today’s divisive political and social environment, it is quite easy to protest an individual kneeling during the anthem while fully accepting the flag cloaked patriot standing next to you. It is possible that the real outrage stems more from optics and not a concern for patriotic customs. The visual of someone kneeling during the anthem stands out because they are one person kneeling among the many standing. As a result, it is expedient to brand that person as unpatriotic. Whereas labeling someone disrespectful because they are wrapped in a flag among others demonstrating their love of country is equally accurate, although some might think it blasphemous.
Ironically, US Code Title 18, Chapter 33 does specify punishment by fine and/or prison for desecration of the flag, although it is rarely enforced. On the other hand, there is no similar punishment for kneeling during the national anthem. Generally speaking, these statutes are meant to be advisory – not enforceable law. In fact, desecration of the flag has been judged as protected speech under the first amendment, which has been the same argument for those who kneel during the Star Spangled Banner.
Nevertheless, as informed citizens, there are a few ways we can collectively address this. First and foremost is to treat it as an opportunity to educate everyone about our patriotic customs and practices. The second option is to maintain patriotic integrity – share the same public outrage to those who disrespect the flag by wearing it as a cape or serve food on flag decorated plates as you would to those who do not stand during the anthem. Finally, maybe we should recognize that all of this is simply freedom of expression enshrined in the first amendment and just let it go.
So, if you get upset with this:
Then you should be equally upset by this:
And this
Or this
And the next time President Trump discusses football players disrespecting for the flag consider that many of his followers have similar disdain for Old Glory
