I spent a lot of time over the weekend angry over the "Flag Banning" attempt at UC Irvine. I come from a long line of patriotic people, who have served our country in countless wars to uphold everything that the American flag stands for. I’ve thought a lot about this, and there are a few things I want to say. As an American Patriot, and educated citizen of this great nation I would like to point out a few small things to the generation of college students we are in the process of TRYING to educate. I know many of you would never have such disrespect. I ask that you hold each other accountable and help educate your fellow students when they do not understand the following.
1. The United States Flag is not a political propaganda piece… Please educate yourselves. (If you need an education, please see any Veteran. They can explain it to you.) The American Flag is a symbol of Freedom and Justice that millions of Americans have given their lives and families for. HAVE SOME RESPECT.
2. YOU ARE IN THE UNITED STATES receiving a world-class education and probably receiving some kind of government aid to at least partially pay your tuition. Many people in other countries do not have access to the education you feel so entitled to; please don’t take it for granted! The American Flag is a symbol of the American Dream, a dream that you are in the process of pursuing while you are attending an American college.
3. YOU do not get to decide that just because it offends you or a small group, that you can remove the American Flag from public places, especially one that is paid for by the taxpayers of the United States of America, who work to make sure that you are provided with higher education. Even if you pay your own tuition, the taxpayers pay for the buildings and staff and faculty that are there to support you.
4. Have some respect for the country you are in, especially if you were born here! Americans do not visit to other countries and demand that the national flag be taken down because we don’t feel “included” in that culture, and you definitely don’t see their own citizens do it. Who do you think you are?
5. If you don’t feel “included” because the American flag is flying near you, and/or you feel threatened by what it represents, ie. Freedom, Justice and yes, the American way, then perhaps you should rethink your reason for being in the United States in the first place.
I love the country I am privileged enough to live in. We have more opportunity and freedom than any other country. You are enjoying an education because of the people who have worked and died to uphold the ideals that the American Flag stands for. Please make sure you are educating yourselves about the history of our great nation. Please don’t give our history away so lightly when countless other generations fought and bled for the rights you so arrogantly enjoy today. Please understand that you did not earn any of the freedoms that you are so quick to give up for “safety” and “inclusiveness”, but that they are great gifts handed down to you from previous generations who died for them, and must be protected by you. I want to have faith that your generation will keep the torch of freedom burning bright in the darkness… You have at your fingertips the tools of education. Please don’t waste that.
Thank you,
MB
MB
An American Patriot
