Flags! Flags! Flags! They’re everywhere! What do they mean??? How do you feeeel when you see this one or that one?
Flags were originally used to help military units coordinate on the battlefield. More often now, they are patriotic symbols for nations. We fly them on important buildings, at sports venues, etc. Some people choose to fly them at their homes to show pride for their country. In the United States, we have the Stars and Stripes representing the 50 states and the original 13 colonies that have become one nation. The individual states have each adopted their own flag to represent themselves under the nation’s flag. These flags are usually designed with symbols recounting the history of that state, and they aren’t quite as important as the nation’s flag to some people. As a Texan, I don’t really understand not being proud of your state, but whatevs.
Where am I going with this brief reduced history of flags, you ask? Nope, I’m not going to discuss the Battle Flag of the South. Admit it. That’s what you were thinking. And I’m not going to discuss that a state has a right to decide for itself what flags to fly on their buildings and that everyone else should just butt out AND that taking down a flag will not erase history. I am going to discuss how repulsive and insulting it is to every single American to make fun of every state flag. And while one has the right to do this, you’d think one would be just a tad more tolerant and considerate of other people’s feelings given the current everyone’s-a-delicate-bird-whose-feelings-must-be-protected-at-all-costs-unless-you’re-white climate, even if it means giving up our freedoms and the foundation of our country.
Alexandra Petri writes for the Washington Post in a section called ComPost–which “offers a lighter take on the news”–and her latest piece is worthy of going into a pile of it. It’s meant to be satire, but comes across as hateful, judgmental, historically ignorant, and elitist. In this bit of news, Mizz Petri dished “jokes” on every single state flag, mocking symbols of the states’ histories and their pride. She slams state flags for being everything from too simple (Texas) to being too busy (Minnesota). Notably absent from her nyuk-nyuck is insulting states for giving a nod to Union battle flags, but Petri makes sure to point to any Confederate resemblances.
Here’s the link for your enjoyment. And just to add a level of fun, see if you can find the one where she sees gay people who make her uncomfortable.
