The U.S. Flag Code

The U.S. Flag code tells us it's a good idea to fly the American flag every day. There are about 20 days, however, in which it's especially encouraged to do so. Today is . . . 

It sounds like a proficiently-written script, doesn't it? It's how I started many days of class in 2021. And it's how I'll start many others this fall when I return to campus. 

The events of January 6, 2021 enraged me. Sickened me. Left me more despondent than I had been on any day that I can remember since September 11, 2001. I needed a constructive response, though. It was necessary for me to channel my fury over the events of that day in a way that would help me grow and set an example for the kids who look to me for guidance. Those would include the two at home, too. So, I decided it was time to reacquaint myself with the U.S. Flag Code, the not-legally-binding code of conduct regarding the flag produced by the U.S. Congress. It's a little long. But here it is: U.S. Flag Code.  

It's changed somewhat what I do in the classroom. On those days specified by the code, I lead the class in an exercise in which we talk about why the day has been set aside. Sometimes we do this light-heartedly. Sometimes it's more serious. At my house, meanwhile, it means I don't display the flag nearly as often. After all, I don't have lighting for it to be displayed overnight. But I think the practice of displaying it on those days set aside gives me something additional to be thoughtful about. 

Perhaps it makes passers-by wonder why it's up some days and not some others. July 4 (and this year July 5) are pretty obvious. But not too many know why I would fly it on March 29 or the third Saturday in May. Maybe they'll be interested in taking a look. 

A couple of moments on Sunday reminded me why I'm glad I've been doing this in 2021. First, there was a rather sad (but unsurprising article) over the way partisanship has twisted American's perception of the flag. It's a tough read, but worthwhile. That article greeted my day. My day closed with my reaction to something my son shared, namely that many on Instagram were posting protest messages about the flag in response to the injustices of which the posters are aware. Wow. It was like my son was seeing online in real time the problems that NY Times article had described. 

He was seeing, in real time, the consequences of weaponizing the flag and weaponizing patriotism the way many have in this past year. 

So it seems fitting and proper we end July 4 with properly folding the flag. 

My next project along these lines will concern the National Anthem. After all, there was a scandalous furor over the U.S. Women's Soccer Team yesterday regarding appropriate protocol during the National Anthem at a match. I use the word scandalous because of the way many worms misrepresented images to tell a lie about those women. The athletes did nothing wrong aside from not knowing the right direction to turn: toward the flag or toward the 98-year-old veteran performing the anthem. I guess it's time for me to pursue the text that confirms what someone I trust once told me, that out of reverence for the flag one doesn't applaud the performing of the national anthem.