The Controversial Issue Of Flag Burning Philosophy Essay

The Controversial Issue Of droop Burning doctrine EssayThere is a proposed amendment to make flag burning illegal. coition tried to pass the stagger Protection Act of 1989, provided the fare failed because it is seen as a form of public protection. There mystify been other attempts to pass legislation to protect the American flag but completely of the attempts have failed so far.Flag burning is very controversial because populate have different interpretations of what freedom of dialect content and what our flag stands for. This essay explores these definitions from the proponents viewpoint for a law protect the flag and the opponents view point against such(prenominal) a law. The most debated question being asked at this time is is flag burning protected beneath the archetypal Amendment guaranteeing the freedom of speech? It all depends on how a person desexualizes the flag and interprets the archetypical Amendment.In order to help answer this question lets being by defining what a flag is. The proponents (veterans, Citizens Flag Alliance, and other organizations of this type) of the amendment for protection of the flag define the flag as a cultural artifact with pith significance, and usage determined by the particular system employing it (Guenter 18). Some flag historians have recognized the touch on of culture on the shifting significance and usage of the national banner, although no one has ventured a all-out probe of the subject (Guenter 16). The flag in the beginning was a token of freedom and enlightenment. The flag be after has even changed. The very first flag contained thirteen stars that were in a circle with the red and egg white stripes. As the nation grew so did the flag, until the flag became what we know of it today.The proponents also savour that, the flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever (www.legion.org/flagcode.htm). It should non be embroidered on such articles as cushions or hand kerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard (www.legion.org/flagcode.htm). Advertising signs should not be fastened to a faculty or halyard from which the flag is flown. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform (www.legion.org/falgcode.htm).However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a nourishment country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica should be haggard on the left lapel tightly fitting the heart (www.legion.org/flagcode.htm).The American flag is known through out the world as a symbol of freedom, prosperity, and even enlightenment. The American flag is a result of our (United States) revolt against Britain.The opponents view of the flag is clearly different. The opponents of this amendment define a flag like the New American Webster Handy College Dictionary. Which states, a flag is a authorship of cloth bearing a design for pageant as a signal, standard, etc. (286). consort to the opponents of the amendment a flag is just the rectangular piece of material that has stars and stripes on it. Excluding clothing, hats, napkins, and any other event that contains the red, white, and blue colors with stars and stripes.The proponents of this amendment define the flag as any piece of material that is representative of the prescript that we (society) know as a flag. While the opponents of this amendment believe that the flag is just the piece of material that is for display purposes, viewed as a standard. The two sides of this argument have clearly defined their positions yet they fail to be specific. Both side of this controversy look to the First Amendment for clarification.In the first amendment of the American constitution it states, Congress shall make no law respectin g an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of or confine the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances (Constitution of the United States).The proponents of the flag burning amendment believe that the burning of a flag does not chance on under the protection of the First amendment. The reason is because burning a flag is not an testifyion of speech but rather an act. In the case of Texas V. Johnson, Chief Justice William Rehnquist stated that flag burning is the equivalent weight of an inarticulate grunt or roar that is . . . most likely to be indulged in not to express any particular idea, but to antagonize others (Stephens Scheb 446). He also goes on to state, the flag is the symbol of our Nation, a uniqueness that justifies a governmental prohibition against flag burning (Stephens Scheb 446).According to the opponents of the flag burning amendment , this amendment not only applies to pure speech but writing also. Rather, the opponents of the flag burning amendment feel that the Fist Amendment potentially protects communication of any kind. Protest, demonstrations, performances, advertisements, artistic endeavors-all of these are ambit of expression. Basically the First Amendment protects communication no head what its nature or medium. Does this mean that our right to free speech is absolute?An example that would coincide with this definition is the Gregory Johnson case that happened in Texas. In 1984, a man named Gregory Johnson stood outside of the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas publicly burnt an American Flag. He was prosecuted under a Texas law prohibiting flag burning. The case went all the counseling to the dictatorial Court. The Supreme Court ruled that the Texas law was unconstitutional. There reasoning behind this opinion was the fact that it was a form of protest.The opponents of the flag burnin g amendment have come to these definitions as a way to distinguish what a flag is and what it isnt. The Supreme Court has not specifically looked at the topic egress of symbolical speech. The opponents of this amendment feel that just because the amendment states, Congress shall make no law doesnt make the statement is absolute. The Supreme Court may restrict the freedom of speech just on the premise of what affect it (the act or expression) may have (Epstein Walker pg. 204). The protection of the first amendment according to Stephens and Scheb, the protection of the First Amendment is not limited to pure speech (444). Symbolic speech can be applied to a kind of communicative communication that is subject to First amendment protection (Stephens/Scheb 444).Throughout the sixties there were many another(prenominal) nonverbal protests against the war. These were protected under the First amendment because of symbolic speech reasoning. An example of this is from the Supreme Court c ase muck about V. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969). This case is an example of this because of a black armband that was worn to school as a less defiant form of protest to the Vietnam War. Another example of symbolic speech is the burning of a draft card. In the same year (1969) the Supreme Court pore on the verbal expression rather than symbolic speech.Once again the definition and the interpretation of the First Amendment prove that this come is difficult to solve. The proponents feel that it is a way to preserve the values that America stands for, but the opponents feel that this amendment will hinder their rights as citizens of America. Which side is right? I guess it is up to separately of us (citizens of America) to decide what we feel is right and take a stand on this retire.For further brainwave into this controversial topic I conducted a survey of fifty college students. The students ranged in age from 18 to 40. The students surveyed were from m any different ethnic origins, and different backgrounds. The survey consisted of six questions that inquired about the publics views on the proposed Flag Burning Amendment. According to the survey, 65% of people polled said an amendment that makes burning a flag illegal is a violation of the First Amendment. Many of the responses had the same reasoning behind the answer, if that is what a person believes than it is protected. While 90% of those surveyed responded that they felt no sense of protection for the flag while saying the pledge of allegiance.The results of the survey are interesting. It appears that most people oppose the proposed amendment. Which leads people right back to the beginning, what is the meaning of freedom of speech and what does our flag stand for? The issue of flag burning will continue for a while, but in order to understand the issue one must take the time to really think about what they believe in and what they feel is right. It is only through action that we (humans) are able to change the ills of the world. If we change the world by protecting the flag or burning the flag we (citizens of the US) have the rights and freedoms to do such. America is about freedom and pleasure we should take a lesson from the past and try to strive for freedom and happiness, so that we can become a better nation.