And Our Flag Was Still There Summary

America’s Symbols: Iconic or Ironic? There is a unique power that lies within the perceived feeling of solidarity that a group can experience in regards to their agreed upon icons or symbols. Icons and symbols are usually patriotic or spiritual, and are meant to embody the image of an idea or theory, as well as convey a prideful sentiment. Whether the icon is something as simple as a national food or bird, or something with more history and depth like the Statue of Liberty or the Liberty Bell, images and ideas are evoked by simply thinking about or seeing these iconic symbols. To understand icons it is essential to understand the difference between nationalism and patriotism, and to follow those definitions with application to what Americans

Our iconography does derive from war but not from a desire to start wars as much as a desire to have representation of victory and unity. Roads to success are not smoothly paved, and do not come without hardships and sacrifices. Our icons are meant to remind those born here, as well as immigrating or visiting, that as a nation we will continue to succeed. Ishmael Reed writes, “Such blurring of cultural styles occurs in everyday life in the United States to a greater extent than anyone can imagine and is probably more prevalent than the sensational conflict between people of different backgrounds that is played up and often encouraged by the media (“America: The Multinational Society”). There in lies the problem in regards to interpretation of America’s icons; the media is allowed to use symbols like the Statue of Liberty or the American flag in any context they so desire. Those symbols, which are meant to evoke powerful, prideful sentiments, then become a tool used by fear mongers and warmongers to tell people what is patriotic and what is not, which then becomes a clear invasion upon free thought and speech. It is not that new icons or symbols are needed to accurately portray what America stands for, but rather for people to start respecting one another for the different ways in which these icons and symbols are interpreted. A truly successful democracy, an ideal that is a driving factor behind American politics and foreign affairs, allows for a body of free thinking individuals to unite, when necessary, to work together toward progress. It does not matter what symbolizes their unity, or how that symbol is interpreted, but simply that