American flag proclaims freedom and diversity
Thomas Witherspoon
freshman
Anna Nussbaum, in her Sept. 4 letter, said that we should "hang an Earth flag" in exchange for an American flag. Earlier in the letter she said, "Patriotism … I think, is no antidote to hatred." If patriotism, as she claims, is no antidote to hatred, then why would Nussbaum subsequently support global patriotism expressed through an "Earth flag?"
According to Nussbaum, there is a taboo on the patriotic act of hanging an American flag, but it is exceptional to commit the globally patriotic act of hanging an "Earth flag." If Nussbaum is so averse to divisions of people and only believes in global unity, then how can she participate in this University which just requires another division of her individual loyalties that seem to be totally devoted to the Earth?
This "Earth flag" is hung, she writes, "in the hope that we might someday live as brothers and sisters with all people regardless of nationality." This hope seems familiar. In fact, it is the very hope that is central to the American concept of patriotism. From a plethora of backgrounds and regardless of nationality, Americans live as brothers and sisters.
We are a society composed of extremely diverse history, yet Americans live in the freest society in the world and remain unified. Nussbaum misunderstands America's necessary patriotic role when she expresses this hope. America's patriotic values of unity amidst diversity are not a contradiction to Nussbaum's "Earth" patriotism; rather, America's exhibition of unity amidst diversity serves as a microcosm for the rest of the Earth to follow. Hanging the flag is a manifestation of her "hope" for unity, not an offense to it.
It is not sufficient for Americans to write "pray for peace" or "we remember" in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist crimes as Nussbaum urges us to do. Idle thoughts do not change situations.
I offer a response to Sept. 11 that is opposite to Nussbaum. Hang the American flag. Hang it because of the freedom for which it stands. Hang it in support of the impenetrable will our nation holds. Hang it for our ability to remain the most united nation on earth, not in spite of our diverse history, but in celebration of it. Hang it in the hope that we might continue to live as brothers and sisters with all people regardless of nationality. Hang the flag for the purpose of propagandizing all the superior values that it stands for in opposition to the evil values of terrorist nations and groups. Hang it in support of the war that we are fighting against those realms of terror that have rejected our American patriotism that projects unity amidst diversity. Hang it in order to proclaim to the whole earth that America will not be bullied by freedom-haters but will continue toward its possible destiny of converting the entire world to its patriotism.
Thomas Witherspoon
freshman
Keenan Hall
Sept. 6
All Viewpoint Stories for Monday, September 9, 2002
