Essay on American Flag

Red, white, and blue: Patios of homes, schools and cars, restaurants, and government-affiliated buildings are a few places in which the American flag can be seen soaring high. Behind the fifty stars and thirteen red and white stripes, the American flag is a symbol of history and liberties of which this country was founded upon and represents the freedom of America. Flag burning should remain legal because it allows freedom of speech, the freedom to protest, and the freedom of choice.

One of America’s greatest freedoms it has to offer is the freedom of speech. Burning of the American flag is known as symbolic form of speech, which is protected by the First Amendment (Gelber, 2012). The controversy of flag burning has been in, out, and around the court systems for many years. In 1989, a case appeared in the Supreme Court known as Texas vs. Johnson. The convention center in Dallas, Texas is where fellow American, Gregory Lee, burned the American flag to communicate his beliefs. The ruling of this case was in favor of Mr. Lee with the case being appealed as the First Amendment holds the ability for individuals or an organization of people to preserve their right to freedom of speech (Analysis: Freedom of expression and the role of a supreme court: Some issues from around the world, 2010). To this day, many disagreements arise on what types of speech are protected. The foundation of the nation determines that Americans are able to live freely and without oppression. The Constitution does not also grant the right for freedom of speech, but it also allows for the freedom to protest and testify as a measure of public voice and opinion.

Burning of the flag is a nonviolent protest that takes action in a public place. Flag burning is frowned upon and viewed as disrespectful. Stewart stated that, “…flag burning is the equivalent of an inarticulate grunt or roar that…is most likely to be indulged in not to express any particular idea, but to antagonize others” (1989, p. 58). The court system in the United States has determined that the American citizens have the authority to communicate their point of views through various measures other than verbally (Gelber, 2012). Many public, passionate debates have taken place regarding the American flag (Analysis: Freedom of expression and the role of a supreme court: Some issues from around the world, 2010). There are a variety of ways in which the American flag is mishandled or mangled with slim to none public rousing affairs (Gelber, 2012). Martin Luther King Jr., a civil rights activist, set this example in 1966 when he challenged the people of America to join and take part in a nonviolent protest as a boycott and the pathway to freedom to end racism and separation of blacks and whites in America (Hostetter, 2007). Because of the right to assemble and protest peacefully, one has the right to raise and wave or incinerate an American flag. In the United States, people have the right and freedom to assemble protests, which then ties into having the right of expression. Even though society may find the idea of flag burning offensive or contradicting as a citizen of the United States, the government is unable to forbid and outlaw the expression of this act (Analysis: Freedom of expression and the role of a supreme court: Some issues from around the world, 2010). Assembling protests is a right that Americans have because of brave and courageous people such as Martin Luther King Jr., who, wanted to create a new road for all races. Because of such people the freedom to protest is present