Posted by Tamar on July 10, 2005, at 4:54:15
In reply to thanks all--more info, posted by smokeymadison on July 10, 2005, at 1:29:32
> thanks for the responses.
>
> she stole the flag as it was flying on main street, in front of the guy's office (he was an attorney at the time). i don't think that she is now for the war in Vietnam, I think that as she has grown older she feels more respect for others' opinions. it is hard to tell w/out talking to her, something i wish i could do, but she didn't leave her phone number and doesn't want to be contacted by the press, i am guessing.
>
> the empty space that is left--that is something to focus on in my story. thanks for reaffirming that thought, Tamar.I can understand that your contact doesn’t want to be contacted by the press – there’s something in the action of stealing a flag that could cause feelings of anger in other people.
I’ve thought some more about this. There might be some other complex reasons. I think there’s something symbolic about stealing a flag. It’s partly the empty space and it’s partly a protest against what the flag is being used to represent. If the flag was being used to represent American power and authority during the Vietnam war, then stealing a flag is a surreptitious protest against US use of power, with the flag as a symbol of that power. And since flags are often symbols of national pride, stealing a flag indicates that the stealer doesn’t share that national pride, especially if she disagrees about how that pride is being displayed (in what she considers to be an unjust war).
The way the US flag has been used and displayed since 9/11 is probably a significant factor in her returning the flag she stole. It seems to me that the flag is being used as a symbol of national unity against an unseen enemy. And I think there’s also something about the flag being used to indicate that Americans will not be silenced by the violation and humiliation of 9/11. Flying the flag reasserts America’s sense of integrity, and determination to recover from the invasion of its boundaries. And widespread flying of the flag makes a symbolic request that people who live in the US ally themselves with American national identity against those who seek to undermine the nation.
So your contact’s returning a stolen flag now could indicate a desire to put the disagreements of the past (Vietnam) behind her; she’s now espousing the sense of national unity that comes from being outraged at the perceived threat to her country.
Just my two cents!
Tamar
poster:Tamar
thread:524948
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050708/msgs/525660.html