Topic Revisited: Your Opinion is NOT a Fact

By Diego Garcia III ★ Editor of The Brownsville Beacon

The American flag is probably the most recognizable national symbol on the planet.

Recently, it has been under attack from the members of the "cancel culture" who would like to see the flag replaced. There are those who have politicized the American flag. Some argue white supremacists have replaced their swastika-clad banners and Army of North Virginia's battle flag (the Confederate flag) with the American flag, while others connect the flag as siding with the Neo-Republicans and supporting former President Trump's "reinstallation" — as if that was a real thing.

Just because certain groups of people carry around the American flag doesn't mean everyone who flies the flag subscribers to their beliefs.

Put another way: Just because you believe something in your head and in your world doesn't make it true. Your perception is not necessarily reality, no matter how much you'd like it to be.

The American flag doesn't represent certain sectors of society. It doesn't represent a politician. It doesn't represent a political party. It doesn't represent a certain ethnic group. It represents Americans; all 328 million of them.

If you're born in the United States, you're an American, regardless of what you call yourself. If you are Hispanic, and your family comes from Mexico, and you were born in the United States, you're not a Mexican. Mexicans are born in Mexico.

The American flag represents you. It represents the rights, privileges, and freedoms you have. It represents the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

You don't like the American flag? No worries. The ability to voice your displeasure with the flag and your refusal to fly one are both freedoms guaranteed by what that flag represents, but just because someone flies the flag doesn't mean their freedoms are any less important than yours.

I proudly recognize the American flag as our proud national average symbol. I am not a neo-Republican. I did not like our 45th president, and I most certainly am not a white supremast. I am a proud American, and I love the virtues our flag represents.

A version of the American flag inspired Francis Scott Key to write verses that would eventually become the National Anthem.

Millions of soldiers, Marines, sailors, and airmen have fought and died under the flag. Soldiers wear the American flag in their combat uniform. Police officers and first responders risk their lives serving and protecting their communities wearing the flag. Children are taught to pledge allegiance to the flag every day before school starts.

Despite all this country's imperfections, it is still the land of opportunity. Millions around the world risk everything to get a taste of the American Dream. 

As long as this country stands for freedom, Old Glory will continue to wave high above this land.

While there may be evil people who choose to pervert the true meaning of the flag, not everyone who chooses to fly the flag believes what those evil people believe.

Our nation's flag still stands for good, regardless of what some people may think.

It's been around for 245 years, and it'll be around much longer.


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