Patrick Chou Week 5: The Reds The Blues and The Whites
White, red, and blue the colors of the U.S. flag often seen flying aloft in the wind. But, how does one display the flag? Luckily there is a three-page handbook of illustrations and guides on how to properly display the flag. For example “Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never: dip it [(the flag)] for any person or thing” This raises the question: Why so many?
But this first raises the question of what each color of the flag means? Mentioned in usa.gov, the red stands for bravery and valor. Red is often tied with bloodshed and thus is a reminder of the bloodshed associated with the USA’s freedom. The white is associated with the purity and innocence of the American people. This is noted as the nation’s goal of remaining peaceful. While the blue resembles vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
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The goal of displaying the flag is to show respect and reverence towards the symbol of the United States of America and the troops that contributed to the fight for freedom. The flag is more than just a cut of fabric. Hence the strict and plethora of rules for the display of the flag.
One of the primary reasons for the plethora of rules is to ensure the flag's integrity and longevity. The guidelines stipulate how to handle, fold, and store the flag correctly to prevent wear and tear. The aim is to preserve the flag's appearance and dignity, honoring the values of its history. In a way, these rules are a homage to the commitment to maintaining the symbol's sanctity.
Additionally, the flag code serves as a guide for unification of the symbol, providing a consistent and standardized way of displaying the flag across different settings. Despite whether the flag is in a government office, a school, or a private residence, these rules guide a sense of national unity and cohesion. They reinforce the idea that the flag belongs to all Americans and should be treated with the same respect by all.
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ReplyDeleteHello Patrick! I admire how you have constructed the dynamic of your visible dedication to the research behind deciding the significance of the American flag and the variety of factors that led to the construction of the flag. I notice that you place emphasis on the maintenance and care for the flag that Americans must hold highly. Not only do you depict the literal denotation of the flag, but you also exemplify the symbolism that the American founding fathers established in creating this flag. You acknowledge that the creation of the flag is not final and the flag itself reflects the changes in moral values and attitudes that the American public goes through.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by the creativity of how you integrate American identity with the flag itself—you present the American flag as a clear representation of American society and the moral values that follow through. The links you provide for further study aid me in my pursuit of learning more about American history and the historical context that relates American history to our flag. Thank you for providing the image of the American flag; this inclusion helps cement my understanding of the blog in a visual sense. The blog is vivid and descriptive; while clearly indicating its purpose of memorializing the American flag in the minds of the American people.
Hi Patrick! Your blog post which discussed the importance of the U.S. flag and the strict rules associated with its display was both informative and thought-provoking. The question you've raised about the great number of rules governing the flag's display, and your exploration of this topic provided valuable ideas. It was thoughtful to include an explanation regarding the preservation of the flag's integrity and longevity. I’m part of Scouts and have been part of numeral activities where I’ve had to either present the American flag or hoist it up a pole. In Scouts, we have standardized rules as well, and that the flag needs to be folded a particular way, and should be opened only by two people. Therefore, I completely understand the need for this “plethora of rules” as you mentioned. I especially liked the point you made about how these rules serve as a unifying factor, and the idea that the flag belongs to all Americans. The links you provided were insightful, and further supported the point that you were making. I did not previously know exactly what each color in the flag means, but your blog provided an insightful definition. Overall, the structure of your blog was strong, as it began with a question, which urged the readers to continue reading. Great job!
ReplyDeleteHi Patrick! I actually came across these rules when researching for my blog, and I think it's awesome that you wrote about flag etiquette specifically. It's interesting how many rules there are and how little we see them actually being followed. At every protest I've ever seen, there's always an upside-down American flag, and I believe that is also against the rules. I liked how you explained what each of the colors of the flag means. It gives more historical context to the flag, especially now when we're all taking a history class on the United States. Overall, great blog!
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