To burn or not to burn

While some feel that protests are used only as a peaceful show of opinion, there are others who have decided to use protests as a disruptive demonstration for spreading their opinions. In addition to the peaceful protests that Iowa City has held, some members of the community have decided to take part in the disruptive side of protesting.

These demonstrations have sparked outrage across the nation. Scrolling through social media is like reading two different persuasive essays: one for Liberals and one for Conservatives. On one side, there are arguments for how flag burners should be punished and “retweet if you agree this is wrong” posts, whereas on the other side there are posts for support and unity, how these demonstrations are as acceptable as the other protests and marches that have been held. My social media feed officially looked like the Wall Street Journal’s Blue Feed, Red Feed.

Coming from a politically divided family, these posts ravaged my social media and gave me conflicted feelings on how to react. At times it was so severe I wanted to stay off social media just to avoid seeing political posts from my family members. This dispute led me to take initiative and find out what my feelings really were about these “protests.”

I’ve always been hesitant on talking politics. For one thing, I know that no matter what my opinion is, arguing with others will most likely not change their mind. It is one thing to oppose political leaders and not do anything, and it’s another to take a position and do everything in your power to get your word to stand out and represent multiple people with the same beliefs as yours. For me, staying out of political conversations was the easiest way to stay off of both sides of the spectrum and stay happily in the middle. However, I have changed my mind.

Flag burning demonstrations have officially come into my family’s conversations, and I decided to join the conversation. As a journalist, it’s important to me to live by the rights outlined by the First Amendment, so my immediate reaction was to accept the fact that flag burning is allowed. These demonstrations weren’t harming anyone. The supreme court ruling of Texas vs. Johnson states that flag burning is considered symbolic speech and the First Amendment provides all citizens freedom of speech. On the other hand, however, my background coming from a military home helped me see into the other side of the conflict as well. My mother was in the Air Force and countless uncles and grandparents have served, so growing up I learned how important it was to support out country and those who work and fight for it, and as I dug around I realized flag burning was a way of symbolically burning our country. Thinking more about it, I realized these demonstrations were disrespectful not only to our country, but to those that serve or have served in the military, as well as those who hold power in the government, no matter if they are at fault or not. This realization drove me to switch sides and demand justice for people who decide to disrespect America like this.

As you can see, I was conflicted. I spent a long time analyzing every detail I could find from family and friends’ opinions and still couldn’t make up my mind. But then I realized: I don’t have to make a choice. Just because certain people in my life have decided to take such a strong stance on one side of the spectrum doesn’t mean I have to as well. I finally realized that I can stay perfectly in the middle, even when I speak my mind. Which is why I’ve decided that I don’t condone either side of the spectrum. I don’t believe flag burning should be allowed, or that people should stop fighting it, but I also do not believe that people should so publicly put down someone’s choice to burn the American flag. Either way, it’s your right and everyone is entitled to their opinions. Just don’t take away someone else’s First Amendment rights to exercise yours.