Desecration of the American Flag

Desecration of the American Flag

The American Flag is one of the most recognizable symbols our nation has. Though, the flag itself may merely be a piece of cloth sewn together, it represents a lot more for the American people. It stands for and represents democracy and freedom. Freedom that countless of men and women throughout history have stood up, fought for, and even given up their lives for. Out of pride, most display it proudly publically and in their private homes. While most patriots would display the flag, there are those that will desecrate it. To those individuals, the flag represents a disapproval of the actions the government is currently taking. The question that arises is whether or not people should be allowed to desecrate the flag because of what it may currently represent or actually ban the act due to the flag’s symbolism.
Flag desecration can be a hotly debated issue with both sides having valid arguments to support their side. On one side, there are those that want to protect the act as it represents freedom of speech. On the other side, you have your pro-American citizens that cannot stand to witness what they consider to be un-American. Flag desecration consists of the intentional destruction or alteration of the national flag. In most cases, burning the flag in a public manner showing a disdain of the government is what most people see as flag desecration. When Gregory Lee Johnson burned the flag protesting the policies of the Reagan administration, he was sentenced with one year in jail and was fined $2,000 because under Texan Law, the desecration of the flag was illegal (www.oyez.org). He was thrown in jail and fined because it was an offensive act to many since the flag represents a lot. In other cases, even alterations to the flag have been disputed as acts of desecration. For example, a college student, Harold Spence, was convicted for hanging the flag upside down with a peace symbol attached under the state’s “improper use”...