Oh Say Can You See

This is an interesting post and I agree with you Dr. Glover. In fact it sounds like you are living deliberately by not allowing any group of people to determine your stance for you. I think sometimes decisions are made by default. In this case it is presumed that a race of people who are historically opressed can only identify with one emotion. In fact we are composed of a complication of many emotions and it is manifested all across America. I am thankful to be an American of African decent and this is my country too. I on the other hand am not likely to bare any flag or post on my property of any kind unless it is "For Sale." My skin and my gender are the things that are apparent and I am ok with that. I guess in a sense I too am living deliberately having determined that the fact that I choose not to bare posts isn't suggestive of the fact that I am not a proud American. The more I get to the end of the point is the more that I am inspired to delve more into this topic because I believe that anyone can bare a flag and it says something but...Its a posture not necessarily a fact. How many people do we encounter live up to what they bare. I have seen many rappers on videos wearing large crosses around their neck and they are clearly not indicative of the conversion this symbol would historically imply. I think that we can be who we know we are without succumbing to the values and behaviors of others. I guess Dr. Glover be encouraged to know that while you choose to be one that bares the flag you help to dispel a myth and that there are many supporters that have your same values that are choosing to do it a little different, in spite of what it may look like.

I am proud of the US flag. It has as much of my ethnic group's African American history as everyone else' history. Our blood is part of her red stripes.

I applaud folks of multiple ethnic backgrounds for displaying their homeland AND US pride.

When I lived oversees (Asia, Europe, England, Middle East...and visited Africa)...everybody had a flag. Nationality and ethnic pride was strong. African Americans are one of the few groups in America that have issues with the flag...Why?

I do agree that we should be proud of America because we are part of it. But why should we go to fight to secure freedoms for foreigners in other countries when African Americans are struggling to secure those freedoms here at home?

Charles,

Please see my blog: Is there more than one kind of Black? I would be interested in your thoughts on the flag and our problems right here at home after you read it...