Burning American flags burns bridges

“Nobody should be allowed to burn the American flag,” tweeted President-elect Donald Trump late November, “if they do, there must be consequences — perhaps loss of citizenship or year in jail!”  What Trump doesn’t seem to realize is that the banning of the burning of the American flag violates the Constitution, freedom of speech and the ability to protest.

The burning of the American flag has long been a powerful tool of protesters. It was used as a form of defiance against Vietnam, with the civil rights movement and countless other demonstrations conducted by people who felt as if their rights were being taken away.

It is such a powerful tool strictly because it is such a polarizing debate, “patriots” on one side and “hippies” who would go as far as to “forsake the country that raised them” on the other. Hard questions make people uncomfortable, but this forces people to place themselves in the shoes of the less fortunate and see where their anger comes from.

Protesting against the flag and national anthem has risen since the election. Nationalism is losing its power with the younger generation around the world because globalization removes power from the laws and traditions that govern one’s home country.

“It goes along with Colin Kaepernick,” junior Maggie Jones said, “while I would never want to burn the flag, Americans aren’t being treated equally. The intent is not to disrespect veterans or the country, it’s trying to improve.”

While the intent may not be to disrespect the country, many people against the burning of the American flag see it that way.

“It’s completely rude to all Americans who have died for the flag before them,” junior Luke Vandenberg said. “I don’t think there should be laws against it but it’s too socially acceptable right now.”

If all protesting does is polarize us even more, why demonstrate? Many politically active teenagers would say demonstration is still important.

“The North Dakota Pipeline protest worked,” said Jones, “they made change in the companies that were taking advantage of them.”

While burning the American flag or not standing for the pledge may be disrespectful to the country and those who work for the country, Americans need the option to protest peacefully however they need to. Trump’s view of democracy is scary for a population used to free speech and expression. If Trump removes Americans’ rights to protest peacefully however they see fit, what’s to stop the president-elect from removing all rights to protest? Americans must make sure to keep our rights and call out politicians to protect those rights. We have to elect officials who have our political equality and power in mind. We have to get out and protest.