Burning something is at times a sacred act or spiritual ritual that involves cleansing negative energies and setting intentions; it’s also at times, an act of hate, defiance and rebellion. To burn the American Flag can be a respectful way to retire it, or an act of defiance and illegal (only if you don’t have a permit to start the fire)…blah-blah-blah. Enough sugar coating. I have been disappointed and disgusted by people burning the flag on National flag day, or any day for that matter. I have very specific reasons why, and many of them I believe would cause even the misinformed arsonist to grab the nearest fire extinguisher or bottle of water to extinguish their flames of fury. This blog usually focuses on health, wellness and all things feminine and magical–but I invite you all to read, reflect and share these thoughts with me today.
Black Power Burning
I saw a video (I dare not post it here to give it any more views) where people were chanting “black power” while trampling on the American flag and burning it. These believers are upset over the horrific slave trade and the foundation of white supremacy that this country was built upon and still uses just under different terminology (I refuse to get into that subject) and a slew of other things based on the hatred of people of color. Many are burning this flag because they believe that their citizenship is only the aftermath of their ancestors being forced to enter this country only to endure back breaking labor, emotional trauma and financial hardship all the days of their lives. To understand these motives would make you empathize with them; however, are they aware that by burning the flag they are also throwing flames of disrespect on:
Grace Wisher: 13 year old African-American (Black) girl who, along with the publicly credited Mary Pickersgill, made the first flag. That’s right, a young black girl “assisted” in making the first Star Spangled Banner. Anyone who understands the amount of patience and dedication that it takes to sew anything knows that when something you took part in creating gets destroyed, you’re heartbroken. I love to sew and crochet, and I feel as if my sacral chakra is stomped on with a steel-toe-boot whenever something that I have made is destroyed, lost or broken. Even if the young Ms. Wisher was sewing this flag in tears at the forced hands of her then oppressors, I am sure that even-still, she would not want what she worked so hard on to be put to flames. Her soul dwells within the very stitches of that flag. To burn it is to burn her legacy. It took Black Girl Magic to make what so many misinformed people are now defiling.
Crispus Attucks: “First man to die for the flag we now hold high was a black man” lyric from Stevie Wonder‘s song “Black Man“. Need I say more? He was the first man to lose his life in the Boston Massacre. This huge piece of American history is significant to Native Americans (he was part Wampanoag), African-Americans, and all other oppressed people of this world. He fought for what he believed in with real bravery. I was not there (neither were you for that matter), so I am not here to talk about anything more than the legacy that this man has left behind for oppressed people. Would he appreciate the flag being burned or trampled all over? I don’t know–maybe, maybe not? This is where I choose to err on the side of respect. Burning something that this man that I claim as a part of me (as an American) died over is a despicable act of ancestral defiance and disrespect.
Service Members of Color: My Father, Grandfathers, Husband and countless of other cousins, uncles, and ancestors served this Country. Some of them may have chosen to do so out of pride, honor, convenience, or forced to do so out of survival. Their motives and reasons behind putting on a uniform does not negate the fact that they served and sacrificed. They pledged their allegiance, provided for their families and made the best of their situations. I come from a bloodline of proud men that have shed blood for that flag. Chances are, most if not all of these participants who claim black power while they stomp and burn their flag, have a family member that is either currently serving, or has served that flag. Whether you agree with war, or even care about the military does not change the fact that your fellow black, brown, red and yellow men and women have fought for that flag, and even died for it.
If you are choosing to burn the American flag, dare not scream it being in the name of Black Power. Before you understand that black power is not only what made that flag, fought for that flag and is part of the reason you even have the freedom to run out in the streets and defile that flag.
Black Power is in part about the political and economic power of black Americans who are standing in solidarity, as a unified people. It’s not about hatred. It’s not about separation. It’s about bettering a community and overcoming obstacles by coming together.
~Sacrifice is Sacrifice ~
I thought I would fail to go through with publishing this post out of fear of seeming like a woman suffering from “Stacy-Dash-Syndrome.” Then I remembered all of my ancestors who are a part of that American flag. I remembered the fact that I am a part of that flag. That my Husband and children are sacrificing so many luxuries and small things that the average civilian American may take for granted for that flag. Small things like having your cousins and Grandparents be a constant part of your children’s’ lives. Common luxuries like being able to attend and cry at a funeral for your loved one. Some service members have to even sacrifice when to mourn those near and dear to their heart.
If you choose to burn a flag, do it for yourself and your own personal traitorous characteristics and hatred for all of your fellow Americans. Do it because you are publicly showing to the world that you do not wish to stand in solidarity with anyone. Just keep in mind that you are one of the few human beings that are even lucky enough to burn the flag freely, in public and even post it on your social media platforms. Do you even know how many other countries would have executed you and your family for just tweeting about wanting to do such a thing?
Lastly, prior to having your red, white and blue barbecue of terror, consider changing your citizenship and moving to another Country.
AMEN! This is beautiful Nette!
Thank you so much! It means a lot to me that you like it