Abstract This paper examines the issue of the display of the Confederateflag, an intermittent source of debate in the US for many years. The paper takes a particular look at one case in the late 1990s when controversy over the display of the flag on top of the South Carolina State House in Columbia led to a nationwide boycott instigated by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) against the state. The paper then makes the argument that individuals ought to be allowed to wear or display symbols containing the Confederateflag motif as a simple matter of their free speech rights, both on and off school campuses, or in any other venue.
From the Paper "In 2006, the Southern Legal Resource Center, a nonprofit civil rights group, filed suit to permit several students at a high school in Knoxville, Tennessee to wear Confederate flag images on clothing. Racial tensions at the school nearly resulted in violent altercations at one point, resulting in a temporary lockdown. The students involved in the suit complained that black students were permitted to wear images of Malcolm X and related symbols without undergoing the same restrictions as the white students, thus raising the familiar argument of the double standard (Watson.) The Southern Legal Resource Center, which focuses on such cases, is also involved in a similar case in Texas, where several students at a high school near Dallas sued for the right to carry purses with the Confederate flag symbol on them, after they had been banned by administration officials. It seem clear that the dispute between administration policies and student rights is a heated one, and has implications beyond that of one particular symbol which some may find offensive. If students are in fact to be prepared for assuming the full rights and responsibilities of adulthood, as has often been argued, it seems reasonable to respect their rights on such a seemingly trivial matter."
Abstract In this paper the author centers on the symbols adopted by a group or nation whether it be for good or bad. He uses examples such as the swastika and yellow smiley face and how when these symbols are seen they influence our attitudes and existence.The author continues with a history of the Confederateflag from its inception until its demise. The paper concludes with the author's own personal opinion of what should be done with the Confederateflag.
From the Paper "Indeed, those responsible for the act do so despite vehement opposition from all corners of society. Their actions seem irrational and almost childish in this era of emphatic political correctness and sensitivity to the plight of discriminated minorities. When such great measures are being taken to redress the wrongs of four centuries worth of prejudiced subjugation, this seems to be a giant step backwards. The modern American prides himself on his democracy and fairness towards all; why then must some revel in the archaic heritages of backward thinking?"
Tags: social, union, constitutional, rights, law, state, federal, world
Abstract Examines the debate over flying the Confederate Battle Flag over the Statehouse in Columbia, South Carolina. Past & recent history. Sentimental & historical meaning of the Confederateflag to Southerners. Issues of symbolism, partriotism, racism, slavery. South vs. North. Views of whites & African-Americans in South Carolina. Argues that the Confederateflag should remain. Gives reasons.
From the Paper "?To strike freedom of the mind with the fist of patriotism is an old and ugly subtlety,? wrote Adlai Stevenson in a 1952 speech, and his words could well apply to the debate that has gone on for generations in the state of Georgia over the flying of the state's flag, which since 1956 has had the Confederate emblem incorporated into it. Although recent protests over the Georgia flag have not been as those in South Carolina over the Confederate Battle Flag's flying over the statehouse in Columbia ? a somewhat more egregious action ? it remains a contentious issue in the state that is considers itself both to be the heart of Dixie and also the heart of the new, enlightened, progressive South (Harrison A1).
Protests over the state's flag, which is seen by some as a reminder of the state's history of independence and by others as a..."
Abstract The conquest of California as portrayed by Walker was little more than an uncontrolled land grab. In vivid detail, Walker recounts both the martial exploits and the political controversies of John Charles Fremont, Commodore Robert Field Stockton, and General Stephen Watts Kearney. Fremont, however, cannot have created California on his own. Stockton came to California to earn a military win over Castro - the last remaining resistance of any real force in California to Fremont's desired ends.
Analysis of flag desecration as symbolic speech including symbolic speech and the first amendment; symbolic speech and fighting words and the landmark decision of Texas V. Johnson.
2,241 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 2001, $ 69.95
Abstract This paper provides a thorough analysis of the landmark case involving flag desecration, Texas V. Johnson, and the idea of flag desecration as fighting words. In order to argue for the recognition of flag desecration as fighting words, which are federally recognized elements of speech that by their very utterance incite a breech of the peace, the author first makes a clear and concise argument for flag desecration as symbolic speech.
From the Paper "In 1892, New York Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy wrote a few heartfelt words into his prayer book. The short prayer was to express his appreciation of the freedoms provided for in his beloved country ? America. Today we know that short prayer to be the Pledge of Allegiance. For more than one hundred years, American school children, new American citizens and men and women of the military have recited the patriotic prayer to show their loyalty to America. And although the recitors of the "pledge" face an American flag, the pledge is not of allegiance to the flag, but to the United States of America. In fact, Bellamy wrote that while thinking of the pledge his emphasis was on ?the republic for which it stands.? (Baer) We may further understand that the republic by his definition, is synonymous with America."
Abstract This paper argues the the flag is one of most important symbols of America, and as such, should be protected from anyone who seeks to defame, or destroy it in any way.
From the paper:
"I believe that with the burning of the flag, the symbol of our country and its constitution, you are saying that you don?t believe in what its stands for. Therefore, you are rejecting the very principles of our country and its constitution since the flag and the constitution are so closely tied together."
Tags:flags, patriotism, usa, law, symbol, nation, constitution, defacement
Abstract This paper details two laws that were passed in order to legislate correct respect for the American flag. The laws mentioned are the Flag Code and the Flag Protection Act. The laws are discussed and their importance examined.
From the Paper "Does the idea of watching someone burn the United States Flag make you cringe or would you hardly bat an eye at the thought? Would you consider yourself more "patriotic" for defending the integrity of the Flag itself or the principles upon which it was founded? Patriotism seems to historically have been linked with the poignant symbolism of the U.S. Flag, and the whole issue can be an emotional topic for many people. For military members, it probably brings to mind visions of hordes of tearful airmen singing "Proud to Be an American" during the last week of Basic Military Training. But regardless of what memories the Flag resurrects in each of us, no one can deny that knowing and demonstrating the proper display of respect for the U.S. Flag is an important aspect of being an American--and this is the central issue that this paper will address. The two key events that shaped the current situation were the enactment of the Flag Code and the Flag Protection Act."
Abstract This paper reviews "Flags of our Fathers" written by James Bradley. "Flags of our Fathers" is the story of the tremendous struggle of the American marines preceding the raising of the American flag on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan in 1945.
From the Paper "It was vital that we capture the island, and it was vital to the Japanese that they prevent that capture. As the author of Flags of our Fathers says, "somehow valor overcame terror" (p. 273). The carnage was terrible: by the end of the first day less that 16% of the medical corpsmen had survived and this handful of men had to do the best it could to help tremendous numbers of casualties, many with severe injuries.
The seven men who raised the second flag at Iwo Jima were Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley, Harlon Block, Mike Strank, "Doc" John Bradley, and Rene Gagnon. Each of these men endured hardships and horror to get to that powerful moment. These men -- and many others -- had to crawl over bodies and body parts to advance. The first description of Harlon Block is of a man in shock, stunned by what he has seen and possibly experiencing flashbacks of horrors he had seen on other islands. These four men in the photograph represent all the agony, struggles and triumph of all the men over all the years who got our forces to that point, that day, on Iwo Jima. Men below the mountain cheered and hooted, believing the battle was over. "
Abstract This paper reviews a court case involving flag burning and free speech as examined by author Robert Goldstein, who frames the issue of flag burning as a symbolic fight over a symbol. The author points out the positions of Justices William Brennan and Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. The paper includes several analyses of the significance and implications of the case.
From the Paper In the case of Texas v Johnson, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the state of Texas could not prosecute Gregory Lee Johnson for burning the flag without violating the First Amendment."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the cultural history of Texas going back to its origins as two different nations: Catholic Mexicans and independent American settlers. The paper describes the battle for the Republic of Texas and the symbolism in the Lone Start Flag.
From the Paper "Texas is identified for a number of reasons throughout the United States. One of the most common reasons is because of the number of flags it was governed under throughout the years. For the fifteen years from 1821 to 1836, it was ruled under the reign of the Mexican government. This flag represented many aspects of life in Texas and Mexico. However, the two cultures and political ideas caused many conflicts, as did the distrust the Mexican people held for the American settlers. To begin with, the Americans and the Mexicans held two different sets of values. The Americans believed strongly in freedom of religion, while the Mexicans held a very strong belief in the Catholic Church. The Southern Texan settlers felt it was acceptable to own slaves, while the Mexican people were strongly opposed to this action. The Mexican people also had a long tradition of respect for authority, while the American settlers in Texas, emigrating from a new, independent nation, held little or no respect for authority. Another difference was in the human nature of the two cultures. The American people possessed an individualistic nature that was blunt and self-assertive. This clashed with the Mexican nature, which was subtle and secretive. These differences caused problems for two primary reasons. The first being that it is difficult to effectively govern people who posses such different opinions in values and different characteristics in human nature. The second is that the Mexican flag stood as a symbol over Texas. This symbol represented their control over the Texas settlers, which therefore enforced the Mexican values and personalities upon Texans. These differences were the beginning of the discontent towards the Mexican flag, its government, and its people. "
Abstract This paper discusses the acrimonious and interminable battle over an official Canadian flag, which has been an illuminating chapter in the history of a young and still befuddled country. The paper asserts that this battle is evidence of a nation with an identity crisis, torn between two giants, the United States of America to its south and its colonizer, the United Kingdom. If there was one thing that united the various factions in this dispute it was disunity.
Abstract Since 1956 the Georgia State flag has had the Confederate emblem incorporated into it. This remains a contentious issue in the state that considers itself both to be the heart of Dixie and also the heart of the new, enlightened, progressive South. This paper examines the history leading up to the current protests over the state flag and the particular tenure of the most recent debates, ending with arguments over why the flag should remain.
From the Paper "The flag was raised in part as a measure of defiance against Civil Rights laws, but also to commemorate the Civil War centennial. In 1962 it was an act of defiance toward a federal government forcing an end to the segregated South. But now, for many in the state it is no longer a symbol of slavery, which is something for the history books, or segregation, which too is being pushed into the history books as well. The flag for these Georgians is not a symbol of slavery but of loyalty to a shared heritage only they can truly understand (Buckley B7). It is also an emblem of the fact that the South still possesses a local and distinct sense of identity that has been lost to the homogenizing forces of mass media and modern culture in so much of the rest of the country (Los Angeles Times A18)."
This paper discusses that the Civil War Centennial observance, during the height of the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, further galvanized the conflict between the "black and white" racial groups, especially in the South.
Abstract This paper explains that the Civil War carries a strong symbolic significance. Among Southern whites, many tend to identify culturally with the "Southern identity" and the defeat of the Confederacy; among black citizens the Civil War brings an even stronger emotional and ideological reaction because they consider the war to be the pivotal struggle to end slavery in the United States. The author relates that, perhaps, the event, which most strongly symbolizes the reaction of "culturally Southern" whites, was that surrounding the ?raising of the Confederateflag? over the Capitol building in South Carolina. The paper questions whether the "celebration" of the Civil War was a good idea, given the concept of "celebrating" a war as necessarily divisive as a civil war, and given its affect on the social, racial, and political climate of the 1960s.
From the Paper "That the South chose to "unfurl" the confederate flag, as the symbol of the meaning of the Civil War as it applied to their ?identity,? and to bar black delegates from participating in the Centennial. The Northern states chose to reenact battles (Kansas, Wisconsin, and Missouri) among others, embark on "educational programs" and stage parades, giving some credence to the widely held notion that the Centennial was ?more a Northern than a Southern celebration.? Further, in addition to the divisive racial controversies that emerged in the Centennial, many believed that the Centennial ?demonstrated the increasing commercialization and trivialization of the memory of the war.? "
Abstract This paper discusses the hot debate about whether Australia should have a new flag. Australia's flag has changed several times with the latest flag dating back to 1953. Over 50,000 flag designs have been sent to Ausflag. The writer has accepted the 8th and 19th design as the best flag for Australia.
Abstract This paper discusses the compromises made in the wording of the U.S. Articles of Confederation that led to the creation of the US Constitution and explains the controversies that existed between the Federalists and the anti-Federalists regarding these compromises. The paper also mentions the controversy between the northern and southern states and explains their difference opinions regarding the slave industry in particular.
From the Paper "Compromise is part of life--and it is also woven into the wording of U.S. Constitution. During the birth of America as a nation, the Founding Fathers were forced to meld together many fractious states that were accustomed to obeying their own customs, and had their own local culture. However, to survive as a modern nation-state, it was essential that America develop a coherent set of laws and a functional centralized government. The first controversy existed between the Federalists, who wanted a stronger national government, and the anti-Federalists, who merely wished to slightly strengthen the Articles of Confederation, for fear of creating a 'new king.' Ultimately, "federal laws were declared supreme, and the courts were expected to strike down incompatible state statutes. The centralizers achieved a genuine national government in federal balance with the states--the key, they believed, to preserving the republican legacy of the Revolution" (Stern 2008)."
