Nadra Enzi: It’s My Flag, Too

I was raised in the late 1960s and 1970s and watched Old Glory, one of many names for the American flag, burned on television in direct contradiction to what home, school, and church taught me.

The flag is cloth, but it’s also a concept anyone can harbor, regardless of appearance or attainment in life. Despite what critics shout, it’s not a flag for only one race or the wealthy. It’s my flag too. Yes me, the big Black guy! We can’t let feelings of alienation separate our nation. Clearly, that is what is happening around us.

I’m not a sunshine patriot who says our country is perfect. Not once would I suggest smiling away whatever injustices are seen or experienced. Mine is a sober, quiet patriotism forged by not allowing the racism I’ve encountered to discount the greatness I recognize in America. I’ve felt alienation but also feel stronger dedication.

Those who hate the flag feel alienated in the country of their birth. Many don’t burn flags, commit domestic terrorism, or support foreign enemies while network media cameras or private cell phones are recording. They’re a frustrated fifth column of disgruntled citizens who legitimize more brazen or even brutal activists feeling the same way.

We see this frustrated fifth column serving as an “Amen” corner rationalizing career criminals, domestic and foreign terrorists, rogue nations, and tearing down once impregnable norms like the Second Amendment, the role of law enforcement, traditional definitions of faith, and most visibly, monuments. Because they feel let down by America, they cheer on those tearing her down.

I’m not going to keep you long. I just wanted to share with you that masters of manipulation use mass alienation as raw material to sow sympathy for this recent reign of terror launched after high-profile police killings of Black men. This orchestrated chaos is headed toward its climax on November 3, 2020 — Presidential Election Day. Depending on the outcome, even more chaos likely awaits.

We’ve got to end mass alienation among people born and raised here. It’s being used as political capital to justify attacking people and police officers and laying waste to businesses already impoverished by the pandemic shutdown.

Dialogue and eventual deprogramming are keys everyday patriots hold. Tossing aside talking points and sincerely talking to people whose minds closed to loving America and her national symbols are what’s desperately needed. Otherwise, all we can do is maintain a partitioned country divided into blue (Democrat) and red (Republican) zones. Not a comforting sight.

When you can look at Old Glory flying and not see a symbol of oppression, then you can join me in saying, “It’s my flag too!”

Cap Black.

#CapBlackSafetyCreator
#GrassrootsSecurityConsultant

Photo credit: justgrimes (Creative Commons) – Some rights reserved

#capblacksafetycreator is Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black, Grassroots Security Consultant in the real life Gotham City of New Orleans.

The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Black Community News.