It's not about The Flag.
It's not about The Anthem.
It's also not about what our servicewomen and men have sacrificed. They didn't sacrifice for The Flag or The Anthem.
It's about what each of those represent.
What they represent includes, but is not limited to, the right of free speech. To give one example, the freedom for people to express their concern for the way segments of society are treated.
In other words, to dissent.
Expressing one's dissent is not expressing disrespect.
Respect cannot be compelled; it can only be earned.
If one attempts to compel respect, that respect is not genuine. It is a farce and a facade. It is merely a bunch of people doing what they're told, because they are told and not because they believe it.
Rather than living in a country that requires people to respect the flag, I want to live in a country that inspires people to respect the flag.
It's not about The Anthem.
It's also not about what our servicewomen and men have sacrificed. They didn't sacrifice for The Flag or The Anthem.
It's about what each of those represent.
What they represent includes, but is not limited to, the right of free speech. To give one example, the freedom for people to express their concern for the way segments of society are treated.
In other words, to dissent.
Expressing one's dissent is not expressing disrespect.
Respect cannot be compelled; it can only be earned.
If one attempts to compel respect, that respect is not genuine. It is a farce and a facade. It is merely a bunch of people doing what they're told, because they are told and not because they believe it.
Rather than living in a country that requires people to respect the flag, I want to live in a country that inspires people to respect the flag.
No comments:
Post a Comment