This Flag is Your Flag
The American Flag is the Union Flag. It represents a country unified with pride in its opposition to slavery and rebellion, and in celebration of victory over insurrection and sedition including the Civil War as well as the violent coup attempt on January 6, 2021.
Those who flew the Stars and Stripes during last year’s attack on our seat of government were engaging in a false flag operation, pretending to be American patriots while engaging in the most un-American and anti-democratic behavior in the history of our nation. They gave themselves away by also flying confederate battle flags and Trump flags. We cannot allow MAGAs to take our symbol away, and I refuse to cede it.
When I fly the flag, it means to me exactly what it meant to the supporters of the Union during the American Civil War, and to my father, uncles, and ancestors who risked their lives to fight for democracy against fascists and rebels in past wars.
When I see Old Glory flying alone, I know that’s what it represents. It speaks for itself, and it stands on its own. When I see it flying on a truck with a Trump sticker or Confederate symbol, I know it’s being displayed by a faux patriot engaged in false-flag propaganda.
Here are some historical context from the recent Sidebar Podcast, Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, White Lies:
"From the time we were born—1776—until 1861, it was almost unheard of for individual Americans to fly the flag. It just simply wasn’t done.”
—Marc Leepson, journalist, historian and author of the book Flag: An American Biography
"When America declared its independence, flags were simply tools. They were used almost exclusively by the military. Especially the navy. Flags were flown to show who was in control of that particular ship or fort… From the revolutionary period to the country’s early days, for nearly a century, Americans really didn’t care about the flag. Until—in 1861—a rebel army captured Fort Sumpter and raised a confederate flag, starting the American Civil War.”
—Lizzie Peabody, host, Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, White Lies, Sidedoor Podcast
“There are very few things in history that change almost immediately. But that’s what happened with the flag. Almost overnight, when the war started, in the North you saw flags in front of peoples’ houses, schools, churches, women wore little flags in their hats, lapel pins, they put them on wagons…”
—Mark Leepson, historian
“The flag became a symbol for the Union. Something for northerners to rally around. And as the war went on, this pride deepened, and turned to love.”
—Lizzie Peabody, host, Broad Stripes, Bright Stars, White Lies, Sidedoor Podcast
“Many of the medals of honor during the Civil War period were for flag bearers. The movement of the flag up and down the field during battle shows the front line of battle. And so capturing the flag or dropping the flag or carrying the flag was seen as very important because you needed to know where your military line was when you’re in battle… If the flag bearer was killed and the flag dropped, the men didn’t know where they were. Then there was chaos, and so somebody had to step up and actually pick that flag up again and hold it.”
—Jennifer Locke Jones, political and military history curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
If you support democratic values, peaceful transitions of power, and freedom for everyone, show it by flying the flag of the American Union. This flag is your flag.
