Persuasive Essay On Flag Burning

A country is not just a landmass or the amount of people that live on it. A country is the pinnacle of governance in history of civilization. When you look at our nation’s flag what do you see? Do you see 13 stripes and 50 stars? Do you see a nation that has been over many trials and obstacles and is still unified? Or do you see war amongst us? Do you see hatred? So a question worth pondering: why would anyone even think it is justified to be allowed to burn our flag? The American Flag is the fabric of our nation; millions of Americans have fought for the flag, it is more than a symbol of hope to many groups and people respect the flag. Making flag burning illegal in the US because it makes Americans feel less secure about their government and their country, it disrespects our soldiers and it is unpatriotic.

Only when the people are united can there be any government, if the group of people

are not united they will be unsuccessful with their government because it will all be chaos.

Now what is one thing that keeps this unity together? People who have common goals and interests which we can seek because of the first Amendment. It is stated in the First Amendment that as Americans we have freedom of speech, yet how far are we allowed to take it? We cannot freely yell fire in a public place nor can we use fighting words, etc.; the list goes on. In 1989 there was a court case to decipher if a certain man’s “freedom of speech” was in the right. “In the year 1989, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the defendant in Texas v. Johnson. Texas v. Johnson, was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag enforced in 48 of

the 50 states. Gregory Johnson burned an American flag outside of the convention center.” (Persily, Citrin, Egan 2008). Johnson burned the flag to protest the policies of President Ronald Reagan because he did not agree with the statements made by Reagan yet he was arrested and charged with violating a Texas statute that prevented the desecration of a venerated object, including the American flag, if such action were likely to incite anger in others (Constable 2005). With this being said, they let Johnson go scotch free because the act itself is saved under the first amendment. How far is too far when it comes to freedom of speech? A question only each individual can answer. With men and women who would sacrifice themselves for our nation’s flag why would any American try to deface it by burning it to ashes?
Let us think about this for a minute, if we didn't have a flag for our country then what would symbolize us? If we burned the flag what would that represent? Justice Rehnquist (was appointed to the Supreme Court by Nixon himself) identified flag burning with “the profaning animal-body and its grunts and roars” (Oyez, Rehnquist) It would show that everything that America has worked for over the last 200 plus years is a waste; it shows that people do not care about their freedom that was given to them by the government and with the help of the soldiers. Most countries do not get to have the same privileges as we do so why would anyone even think to burn it? The reason being that they can show their rights as Americans. People can burn the flag when they do not agree with some laws or with the election (for example, The Trump election). Even though many people do not attain the full knowledge of the Flag Code, many people still know how to treat the flag.
While asking people their opinion, Goldberg came across some very unique answers, one of those people is currently an active military officer. “When I went to him and asked him on his opinion he was taken back that I even asked if it should be legal for Americans to burn their nation’s flag. “No American should be permitted to burn the flag. The United States Military along with myself, defend the country along with the flag every second of every day to ensure their safety.” (Goldberg 2016). Like most Americans, we have had or still have family members who help fight and protect this country. They fight day in and day out, they know who and what they are defending for. Many Americans fight for our flag every day, they fight, defend and unfortunately some become fallen. However this was their choice; their choice as American citizens to defend and PROTECT the flag.
Now with this being said how would you feel if you’re hard, dedicated work went to waste? The lives of the men and women who fight for our country daily, never resting, defend our country/our own flag because that is what they believe in. They believe in our country and they want to ensure the lives of other Americans that they are safe and secure. However some Americans cannot appreciate all that our military does for us on a daily basis. With men and women who would sacrifice themselves for our nation’s flag why would any American try to deface it by burning it to ashes? When we burn the flag it is kind of a big slap in the face to them.
Adding to that extent, we as Americans must protect the American Flag at all costs. In times of crisis, the raising of the Stars and Stripes symbolizes security and strength. When September 11, 2001 occurred what did we do? Most looked up asking for help while others looked at the American Flag; whenever America had a rough time getting everyone united together, all they would have to do is look up to hose colors on America’s flag and know that everything will be okay in time.
While it is the fabric of our nation, it is so much more than that. It is a symbol of hope and tranquility. I believe that the flag should have its own protection against burning and disrespecting. It shows that the culprit behind doing the burnings and disrespect will get punished. The American Flag is the fabric of our nation; millions of Americans have fought for the flag, it is more than a symbol of hope to many groups and people respect the flag. Making flag burning illegal in the US because it makes Americans feel less secure about their government and their country, it disrespects our soldiers and it is unpatriotic. The flag is there because we are a united nation, we may not be as great as what we once were however when most of your hope is gone (for example: after 9/11) many Americans united together if not all and we turned to that flag as a beacon of hope.