What exactly is the flag supposed to represent? The ideals of the country and it founding principles or some kind of fake patriotism knick-knack that is converted to a lapel pin, t-shirt, hat or pen? Is the service of our military truly altruistic or is it something more sinister like a back door for inclusion to a club not open to the citizenry?
America is an idea first and foremost, then an imperfect and ever struggling country after that. The idea was that all men are created equal (although it took a shamefully long interval to realize that 'all' means ALL and also means women) and that the power of the government derives not from the divine right of kings but from the consent of the governed. It is the greatest idea of human governance since the Greeks (and borrows heavily from the same), but it is an idea none the less.
The flag is a symbol of that idea. It is the banner that has been hoisted above to show the world that true power resides in the minds and hearts of the people and that the government is to be accountable to those same people. When one corner of our diverse population is marginalized and killed without regard, then ALL are at risk of the same under slightly different circumstances and silence is consent. I will not stand by at attention and hum the tune of the anthem while people of color are marginalized and in many case brutalized by a system of repression and institutional racism, or while immigrants seeking nothing more than a chance to be part of this grand idea are told they are no longer welcome, that the idea is no longer for ALL men again.
If those who serve in our military seek to serve some other goal than the defense of the Constitution and the Republic, then they degrade their own service and make it something less noble and less worthy of respect. The military are serving the will of the people, not the pride of the President or any other citizen for that matter.
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