Symbols mean a lot, and when one represents a whole country a lot of controversy can surround that symbol; In this case, the flag of the United States is an important symbol that stands for many things. Some people put the flag of the United States on a pedestal, they look up to the flag, and value it, so when someone desecrates the flag they get infuriated. On the other hand, some people see the flag as a symbol of our freedom that supports the First Amendment which allows us to disrespect the flag if we want to. For many years controversy has surrounded flag desecration and one of the most famous cases surrounding the topic would be Texas v. Johnson (1989): This case focused on Gregory Lee Johnson and if his act of flag burning was “symbolic speech” protected by the First Amendment--They …show more content…
A lot of citizens want our country to have patriotic customs, they say that “We must restore our flag to its rightful place under the law so that our children and our grandchildren will never be confused about its meaning, its value, or the price paid to preserve it” (Wheeler). Most people agree that we should respect our flag, but this amendment is bigger than the flag, it is about upholding our First Amendment right even if that means disrespecting our sacred flag. Another argument that supports the amendment would be that people don’t think that flag burning is considered “speech” they argue that “what is said when the flag is burned?” (Brady). Although nothing is verbally said when burning a flag the message is “symbolic speech” and this can be backed up by Texas v Johnson (1989). In conclusion, although flag burning may be disrespectful this “symbolic speech” is allowed by the First Amendment and we should keep it this way instead of giving up a
Introductory paragraph “The flag is one of the most recognizable symbol of the United States.” During the case of Johnson vs. Texas, I believe that Johnson was exercising his rights to free speech but I truly think that he should have done it somewhere else then a public square, someone could have gotten hurt by the flames of the burning flag, or Johnson could have gotten hurt because he was burning the flag around people who love the United States flag. I agree with the fact that Johnson was sentenced to 1 year in jail, he burned the Flag in Texas and in Texas they have a desecration law of violating the flag. From my own point of view, I think Johnson wasn’t exercising his rights to free speech but, he did it in the most absolutely
The general argument made by author William J. Brennan in his work, “Majority Opinion,” is that it is legal to burn the flag if it is a form of political protest. More specifically, Brennan argues that we can not criminally punish people for burning a flag: the only thing we can do is convince them that they are wrong. He writes that they only thing we can do is “ Persuade them that they are wrong.” In this passage, Brennan suggests that criminally punishing a person for burning the flag will decrease the values of the flag by opposing the First Amendment. In conclusion, Brennan’s belief is that we should not punish people for burning the flag, but convince them that they are wrong.
We believe this because the desecration of the flag tarnishes its value, the flag is our very own unique symbol, and it is the symbol that change 13 fledging colonies into a world power. The desecration of the American Flag or any flag tarnishes
The Court ruled that yes, burning an American flag was symbolic
A 5-to-4 decision held that Johnson's burning of a flag was protected expression under the First Amendment and all charges were dropped. In response to this ruling Congress passed the Flag Protection Act Of 1989. “The act states that ‘whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.’ The act does not prohibit any conduct consisting of the disposal of a flag when it has become worn or soiled." (1989).
The flag has been used in many occasions for the wrong reasons, and it affects how people think of the flag. Although it seems to be a racist symbol, it is a symbol of southern heritage, ancestry, and it hold the memory of all of the fallen Confederate soldiers. Confederate monuments mark history, it would illogical to remove them. It would be taking away a valuable part of our community. Over all, the flag is a symbol of heritage not
The law in Texas at the time banned flag burnings. He was convicted, and the case was appealed to the Supreme Court. We ruled that Johnson’s right to free speech had been violated. He was expressing symbolic speech. We ruled that even though an opinion is unpopular, doesn’t mean we have the right to restrict his freedom of
When a flag is presented in a rival that brings hate and discontent to America it should be removed from being displayed. I strongly am offended of the Confederate flag and my opinion is a lot of others are also offended. The constant reminder of the mistreatment and enslavement of the black race is still being suffered by black people today. The confederate flag brings grief to my heart as my ancestors were subjected to slavery.
All soldiers are true heroes; they die for a cause that they are trying to protect. The southern side felt over-powered by the fact that the northern side was going to industrialize themselves into a bigger economy that everyone would soon have to face including the south. This flag is no being taken down and pushed aside for the wrongfulness that was made from the church shooter; everyone knows a flag cannot make you do anything without your own intentions to do so. People now believe that his true intentions were based of the confederate flag and now they are wanting to destroy the legacy of the flag and keep it locked up in a dungeon, they want all knowing of this flag to be destroyed so they prohibit us to sell our flag, and they keep the unknowing things from the people in order to depict the hatred that the confederate flag
The fact the founding fathers of the United States, risked their lives traveling on a dangerous journey in a hope of finding a place where they can express themselves freely without any punishment indicates how valuable this Amendment is and it is sad that it is not
As I recited the pledge of allegiance every day in school, I never really took into consideration what the United States stands for to me. I never acknowledged how much the flag means to our country. The United States flag is a symbol of freedom to all who live here. It shows how we are free to do what we please.
Not only does the flag represent this country and its freedom, but it also is a symbol of the military and their brave actions to protect this country. Not many can say that they gave their life to benefit the well-being of America. The ones who can, even though they are dead, are very proud to be able to say that. Even though it cost them their lives, they know their country appreciates what they did and that the citizens will live better because of it. People dishonor all of that the moment they intentionally set flame to the flag, to what these brave soldiers fought for.
"Should you stand for the American flag or should you kneel in protest?" A question Americans have began asking after the recent NFL national anthem kneel protest. I say, you should stand for the flag not only for pride but also what the flag stands for. As well as respect for fellow soldiers and veterans who have for fought for the flag to keep waving; but ironically, the American ideas give the right to do as you please to the flag from kneeling or even burning. Now should you really kneel for the flag in protest?
Assuming that the flag has a deep history of racial injustice that exceed far beyond the Civil War. Adding that his motive is patriotism, the flag has been managed as a symbol of racism and radical inequality. While the Confederate flag is a prevailing and problematical symbol, one that should entirely be dismantled. Taking down the flag is only the first step. What we must do is knock down racism.
Johnson case, more and more people are taking advantage of the outcome. The results of people's actions are not just burning the flag, they are disrespecting the symbol of unity as a whole. For example, a teacher from Massey Hill Classical High School in North Carolina stepped on the flag during a freedom of speech lesson. “His goal, he said, was to teach them about how the country’s free speech protection have evolved over time” (Hawkins). There are other ways to demonstrate to children how protected their freedom of speech is.