Introduction
During all historical periods, the American flag was a symbol of unity and liberation, freedom and equality. In their essays, And Our Flag Was Still There written by Kingsolver and Old Glory by S. Willis depict different perspectives on the image and importance of the flag for American nation after 9/11. Thesis the authors propose different perspectives on the American flag and its meaning for the nation, thus agree that it has a great positive impact on the national unity after 9/11.
Willis underlines that the American flag and its history was taken for granted by the nation who used its as symbol of American lifestyle and nationally. For many people, it does not mean national unity and cultural identity: “most black and Hispanic neighborhoods have been relatively flag free” (Wellis 2003). The author underlines that political and state leaders use flag to pursue their selfish interests. Politicians seek to gain or retain office in democracies by offering voters policies that voters believe will advance their material well-being. As the most important, “flag designates a shift in America’s interests away from a host of domestic needs left pending after September 11, and toward a politics aimed at military operations overseas” (Wellis 2003 ). Similarly, the pressures to conform politically are far greater in the United States than in many other countries. The political system itself is sacred and unquestionable. Every day in school, children are encouraged to pledge allegiance to the system. Americans are taught that not only the political system but the social system is just. The flag symbolizes these tendencies and the military strengths of the American government. Most Americans are convinced that American society offers more opportunities than European societies – a claim that is highly debatable – and that American society is unusually egalitarian – a claim that it demonstrably false inasmuch as the distribution of income in the United States is unusually unequal.
Kingsolver’s opinion
In contrast to Willis, Kingsolver discusses a positive impact of the national flag on national unity and cooperation between different races and nations. The author sees the national flag and its colors: red, white and blue, as unique national symbol of the nation and liberty, freedom and patriotism. “My town, Tucson, Ariz., has become famous for a simple gesture in which some 8,000 people wearing red, white or blue T-shirts assembled themselves in the shape of a flag on a baseball field and had their photograph taken from above” (Kingsolver 2001). The American flag constitutes the principles of the liberal tradition and can be seen as a source of legitimate ideas and sanctified principles to which politicians can appeal. Opinion polls show a tremendously high level of support for principles embodied in the Bill of Rights.
Comparison
Both essays depict contrasting viewpoints on the problem of the national flag and meaning for the nation. It is possible to disagree with Willis’s arguments concerning understanding of flag and its perception by other nations. Even if it does not reflect national identity of minorities, it is still a symbol of America and its political strengths. The fact that free speech is widely accepted in principle provides members of unpopular groups with a powerful weapon. An unpopular group may not always have its rights respected, but it is more likely to have those rights respected if it can point to widely held general principles (freedom of speech, freedom of assembly) than if such rights were not generally accepted. I agree with Kingsolver that the flag is a silent symbol of unity and cooperation between people in spite of the national and cultural identity. It is a symbol of national belonging and mutual support, understanding and shared values. Yet just as culture seems more relevant than some political scientists would like to admit, it is less determining than others have contended. In using American political traditions to explain relatively small contrasts between the United States and other advanced industrialized countries, we must be careful not to ignore the fact that these traditions failed to block a radical change during the twentieth century in the size and scope of the American state. The United States is far from alone, therefore, in dealing with an ethnically diverse population. Indeed, it striking that the United States faces so few demands for autonomy or independence; unlike many of the countries just mentioned, the future of the United States as a country is assured. There is no danger that the United States will break up, whereas it is entirely possible that the United Kingdom, Spain, or Canada will disintegrate. Even if the flag symbolizes military strengths of the nation, it is a n important element of social policies and political struggle.
Conclusion
In sum, events of 9/11 shows that the American flag has great meaning for the nation reflecting its shared values and cultural identity. Even today, it unites people and helps them to overcome grief and suffering. The flag is both a social and political symbol used by all people in spite of their origin and background. There is substantial evidence, as we have seen, that ordinary citizens adopt policy positions that conflict substantially with principles from the liberal tradition that they claim to support. American national identity is never defined by blood or race, nor by long-standing identification with a landscape, but by adherence to the principles of the liberal tradition. The American flag symbolizes ideology and policies followed by the entire nation.
Works Cited
Kingsolver, B. And Our Flag Was Still There. San Francisco Chronicle. 2001. Web.
Willis, S. Old Glory. The South Atlantic Quarterly. 101 (2), 2002.