Dread Scott's What Is The Proper Way To Display A Flag?

This photograph taken by Stanley J. Forman appears to show a young Caucasian man using the American Flag as an improvised weapon. He forcefully cocks a pole bearing an American flag as if it were a spear in an attempt to impale it through someone. His target, an African American dressed in a formal suit, struggles to free himself from another man holding him firmly against his will. He holds the victim as the assailant directs the distinct red, white and blue American flag into the bull’s-eye. Bystanders pause in time and space to witness the occurrence. They watch nonchalantly. Some watch with approval; others watch with shock.

The issue of burning the American flag, as a means of expression is continuously argued today. Many

As an American we can take our freedom for granted sometimes. In “Veterans Day: Never Forget Their Duty” John McCain illustrates “Sitting there, beneath that dim light bulb, a piece of white cloth, a piece of red cloth, another shirt and his bamboo needle, was my friend, Mike Christian” (7). In this quote John McCain reflects on his time in the military. This quote shows how much the American Flag meant to him and his comrades. They would risk getting brutally punished just to make a little flag, so they could do the Pledge of Allegiance every day. This quote relates with a quote from “What

The American Flag is symbol of freedom to those individuals living in the United States. To the soldiers who fight for our freedom, seeing the flag they honor and salute disgraced and disrespected is like a “slap in the face”. Topics discussed throughout this paper are as follows The Star Spangled Banner, American traditions involving the flag, how to fold the flag and what each fold symbolizes, how to properly handle and when/when not to fly the flag as well as, flag burning, a few major case laws about the flag, pending Supreme Court cases regarding the American flag, the reasons for the decisions made, how things have changed over time and some arguments for/against, pros/cons will be discussed so that we all

Dread Scott became a revolutionary artist starting in 1989 for his controversial use of the American Flag. Scott’s art work What is the Proper Way to Display a U.S. Flag caused much arouse-meant among thousands of viewers. The symbol of the American Flag is strong and was used to inspire a thought, but also fury. He made the American Flag a barrier to the freedom of expression that it is symbol to defend. The work illustrates the misery of society created for many people and encourages viewers to see how the world could be during slavery. The role Dread Scott plays is to help his viewers see the world in new or advanced way and give form to the immaterial—hidden or universal truths, spiritual forces, personal feelings. He also makes a visual

people who have fought for the American flag and all that it stands for, tend

Fred Barbash, wrote “Does first flag symbolize "exclusion and hate," as some say?,” published in 2016 by the Washington Post, and argues that the first American flag could stand for racism and bigotry. Barbash, uses logos, pathos, and ethos to inscribe the racial tension growing around the first American flag controversy. Barbash uses rhetorical devices to really clasp the audience and to attract a variety of people.

The United States is known for being ‘land of the free’, a nation with a Declaration of Independence, as well, as a Constitution protecting the rights of it’s citizens. Wars have been fought and many people have died so we could have the rights that present today. The freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and most importantly the right to petition our government; all of which fall under the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights. Our nation’s flag is an everlasting symbol of freedom and hope

Dread Scott definitely created a lot of controversy between people throughout the United States with his artwork “What is the Proper Way to Display a Flag.” People started communicating and discussing the artwork with one another. This definitely evoked a lot of people negatively. Americans were very upset to see this art displayed in a public museum. People starting discussing whether or not it was right to have the flag disrespected in this way. President Bush did not approve of the artwork at all saying that it was “disgraceful” and made him worry about the idea of freedom of speech (Scott, n.d.). This artwork inspired the government to outlaw “displaying the flag of the United States on the floor or ground.” (Scott, n.d.).

There is much controversy surrounding the idea of patriotism and the iconography of the American flag in today’s society. Some believe patriotism is simply the act of supporting the decisions of the leaders of the country. Others say, to be patriotic, people should be outspoken and voice their oppositions to what is going on in the government. Opinions also differ on the idea of what the American flag represents. One opinion of the flags representation is that the flag represents our history, and the formerly mentioned idea of patriotism. Others believe the flag also represents our history as a nation, but these beliefs focus much more heavily on the negative aspects of our history; such as slavery and other injustices carried out by our

Politicians throughout the United States are debating whether or not the Confederate flag should be allowed to be on the Mississippi state flag. The flag is the center of much controversy. People argue that the Confederate flag is a symbol of racism and hate and that it should not be allowed to be used in public places let alone on a state flag. While others will argue that it is a piece of history and that it honors the soldiers that died in the civil war; it is a symbol of southern pride. The confederate flag has been argued over for many years, dating all the way back to the 1800’s, but the heat of the debate sparked up in 1962. (PBS, Web. Costa-Roberts)

When you see the American flag, what is the first thing that pops into your head? Is it a war? A relative? A political leader? What? For me, I usually think of the Star Spangled Banner. I grew up on a military base in Germany. If the flag were being raised or lowered, you would see soldiers, and even civilians, standing at attention, saluting the flag. In a parade, as the flag was being carried in front by one of the brigades, everyone held his or her hand over his or her heart as the flag passed that person. Even in the theaters, before the movie would start, the Star Spangled Banner would be played while scenes of American flags in battles and peacetime were on the screen and everyone would stand, either at attention or with

The American South. An area full of rich history and the home to some of the nation’s largest conflicts throughout history, such as the civil war and the civil rights movement. Southerners have always been proud of their heritage despite its rocky parts and display it for all to see with a 150 year old flag. This is proving to be problematic, though, as the Confederate flag they are all so proud of, is really only 50 years old and has been associated with ideals of white supremacy and racism. Some Southerners and other Americans choose to not believe the truth about the flag, others were never taught the truth. However, it is incredibly important in forming an opinion on the flag, and to whether or not the flag must be removed from state buildings. And the truth is, due to its historical affiliation to racist whites in the South, white supremacy groups, and recent events such as the Charleston Shooting, the Confederate rebel flag should not be flown on state buildings as it is not culturally sensitive to African American people who have been targeted by these people.

Recently, quite a debate has emanated regarding the Confederate Flag. This debate has been taken from a simple ember to an all out wildfire, spreading across America, by events in recent months like the Charleston African-American church shooting and the subsequent removal of the flag from the South Caroline State Capitol. This debate has deep geographic ties from all the way back to the Civil War and what the flag stood for then and what the flag has stood for since. Each side of the debate has determined their position based on their collective memory of the flag. Whereas, one side of the argument sees the flying of the flag as a symbol of racism and hatred, the other sees the flying of the flag as preserving southern heritage with

acceptable to have a "narrow, special amendment to protect a special flag from desecration." ("Consequences" 2). Even Thomas Jefferson and James Madison denounced flag burning as a crime (Brady H 2). Others feel that flag desecration disrespects those who lost their lives for our country, stating the flag symbolizes the blood that runs through our country. George Whalen, a soldier, said "the stars and stripes of our nations flag is the symbol of our nation's values... It represents loyalty patriotism and love of our country." ("citizens" 3). Those against flag desecration must remember that the men and women who fought and died for our country were fighting for justice, freedom, and independence, all of which give one the right to desecrate the flag. Yes, the flag represents these freedoms, but the