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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

opinion

COLUMN: Wearing the American Flag

For the last week, my Instagram feed has been graced with nothing but groups of girls on lakes and fraternity bros on boats, wrapped in the American flag and showing off their stars-and-stripes bathing suits.

While these photos make for abundant likes and comments, most people are unaware of the fact these fashion choices violate the United States Flag Code, which reads the American flag should not be used “as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery,” among other things like boxes and napkins.

Upon first hearing the code, it’s almost as if the whole country is disregarding it: retailers bring out their flag lines right before the Fourth of July, and party stores stock their shelves with plates, napkins, hats and accessories in red, white and blue.

It’s that gray area in the First Amendment and Free Speech rights to which no one knows the correct answer. While many people think there’s nothing wrong with the large array of American flag fashion, many believe wearing the country’s flag can be seen as a disrespectful display.

Nothing gets me more excited than the Fourth of July. The thought of everyone coming together in red, white and blue to barbecue and watch fireworks exemplifies what a spirited America should be.

We love our country — and we make it known. But when one person sports an American flag crop top, another may believe the flag thousands have died and fought for should be a little more respected.

Take, for instance, when PacSun sold a T-shirt with an upside-down American flag plastered across the front — the symbol of “dire distress in (an) instance of extreme danger to life or property,” according to the U.S. Flag Code. The retailer pulled the garment Memorial Day weekend in response to outrage over its insensitivity to military service members.

People of all political affiliations partake in showing off their so-called patriotism, so this is not a one-party problem. Whether these people are doing so for Instagram likes or otherwise, society as a whole should be more knowledgeable about the viewpoints of others when it comes to “wearing” the American flag.

There’s a difference between using a beach towel with stars and stripes on it, and lying on a legitimate American flag while sunbathing.

There’s also a difference between choosing a modest and respectful American flag t-shirt over one with an upside-down flag.

While I am not necessarily against sporting the stars and stripes, I do believe it is important to educate yourself on why people believe wearing the flag may be seen as disrespectful.

If wearing clothing with the American flag on it makes you happy, then show off your patriotism with pride and respect, knowing full well where your right to do so originates.­­­

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