The American Flag No Longer Tells Us What America Is

A couple of years ago, while sitting around a fire on a cold autumn evening with close family and friends, a heated discussion started about the emotions and perceptions the American flag evokes. What began as a light political discussion (never a good idea) shifted when someone remarked that the flag was inspiring feelings of fear. Although I had never voiced or consciously considered this idea, I immediately understood what she meant and found myself nodding in agreement. 

A fierce debate ensued about what the flag is supposed to represent for everyone (freedom and democracy) and what it is not supposed to mean (fear and oppression). I don't believe either side was right or wrong; rather, our views were shaped by different exposures to pop culture and lived experiences. I reflected on why I agreed so instinctively, despite never reflecting on the topic before. Perhaps it's because, when I encounter images like these, I feel an undeniable sense of unease. Do I believe the nation's most sacred symbol is meant to represent fear and intimidation? No, but does it? Absolutely. 

Our flags' indexical meanings include battlefields, raising the flag (as seen in Iwo Jima and at Ground Zero on 9/11), or flags at protests, which are often flown upside down or burned. Signifying distress or dissent rather than allegiance. In pop culture, it's in the news footage after 9/11 (flag waving over images of the twin towers) and protest imagery of war (Vietnam, BLM, January 6th aftermath). The flag indexes very different realities depending on the context—unity vs. crisis vs. dissent. 

However, it is symbolically where the flag is most contested. The symbolic meaning is learned and culturally negotiated on a rapid, ever-changing basis. For example, during the Cold War era (some of you may not be old enough to remember this), the flag symbolized freedom vs. communism. After the civil rights era, the flag was contested—does it really symbolize liberty for all? After 9/11, no one would argue that the flag symbolized unity, sacrifice, and national pride. 

Lately, however, it appears that the flag is being increasingly used or portrayed as a symbol of specific political and religious ideologies. For example, it frequently appears at political rallies, religious gatherings, and protests, where it serves less as a national symbol of shared identity and more as a marker of specific political or religious ideology. As a result, the flag no longer carries a stable meaning; instead, it serves as a floating signifier, interpreted differently by each viewer depending on their context, background, lived experiences, and perspective. 

My friend and I shared a similar perspective, while others in our group refused to consider the possibility of multiple symbolic meanings and implied that those who shared our view were misguided. At the time, I didn't understand the influence of pop culture and lived experience on such opinions. I realize my perspective is a more nuanced view, while theirs is more idealistic—and there's nothing wrong with either. 

Do you think the symbolic meaning or authority of the American flag is weakened as its various meanings become more complex? Does its power lie in the consensus or in the conflict? Can it mean symbolize multiple true things?