PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Betsy and Old Glory
Betsy Ross’ ghost still glows with pride for the manifestation of her design. Despite attempts by mansplaining vexillologists to steal credit for it, glory will remain hers.
Do you remember a time when the country’s flags flew proudly on the winds of freedom? A time when a solemn ritual was performed each morning in their raising at dawn and lowering at sunset? A time when schoolchildren pledged to them each morning?
Today, their crooked, wrinkled banners preside over sales of branded, junk souvenirs; made elsewhere by slave labor.
Youngsters have no experiential memory that conceptualize it in its former glory.
[100 words]
Read more about the controversy of who designed the American flag here.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the gracious host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Sic transit gloria mundi
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I had to look that one up, Neil. Indeed!
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I like your story, Lisa. I experience it as a strong commentary about the dark side of our continent’s last 500 years, as well as the sliding away from honour, respect and civility so pervasive in society.
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Thanks, Steve, and thank you for sharing your perspective on it.
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I’m always confused by the contractions of humanity. The US flag is a perfect example – required to be treated with so much respect on the one hand, branded onto everything from clothing to disposables on the other. You can always spot the Americans at a resort – at least one member of the family will be wearing the flag (something fairly unusual for members of any other nation). But is that really a respectful act?
You commentary definitely made me think. Thank you!
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Jen, I appreciate your thoughts on it. So interesting to learn the American tourists do that! I’d personally rather blend ;) Now you see those red magate hats, which is a sure sign of arrogant idiocy. No I don’t like to see the flag being turned into clothing items, and in the past that would be really unthinkable except maybe for rebels, to test how free we really are (protected by freedom of speech.) Now it’s just laziness and something probably a little more sinister. You’re very welcome and happy you found the story evocative.
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I’ve already written a too-long comment on this, so I won’t again. I’ll just say that wearing the American flag has been made popular by one political faction in America. They think that makes them patriots. Oh, don’t get me started! Lol. A good job. I’m an American and even I can spot an American tourist when I’m overseas by their clothing.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this R.M. Have you ever seen Jordan Klepper (sp?) interviewing any at rallies?
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I have no idea why I am “Anonymous” in that comment since I am logged in, but this is R.M. Carlson!
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Thanks again R.M.
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Deep subject. Yea a lot of that started in the 60s with pop bands wearing UK and American flags and it spread. Bob Dylan had a line “flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark. It’s easy to see without looking too far. That not much is really sacred.”
I mean I do love where I’m at…and I do respect the flag…because I remember growing up and it WAS sacred….now nothing is. Not just America either…it’s all over the world. Everything is open for ridicule now…
Thats just me though.
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Max I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on it. I agree, it’s just as you say: World Gone Crazy. Lots of stuff going down, who knows what’s at the bottom of the vortex we are swirling into…
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I know…it has gone crazy. It makes you wonder who is pushing it… we will see maybe one day lol.
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I love that circular design. Wish they’d kept it.
Everything these days is a commodity. (K)
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I do too, K. There is something about a circle that a square lacks. The commoditization of all boils down to attachment of green. The compulsion of more more more to exert power/influence/subjugation over others. It’s a fatal flaw in our genetics. I wonder if engineers could extract it from our coils? And if they did, what would be left of us…
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Greed is a real problem for humans. I have nothing compared to the 1% but I know it’s way too much. Don’t they ever feel burdened by all that stuff? Or guilty about not using some of the excessive excess to help those who don’t have enough? I don’t understand.
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I started a poem this morning about the two kinds of green. I don’t understand either :(
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I learnt a new word, thanks to you. Loved the social commentary. Kids nowadays have scant respect for anything at all, has been my observation.
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You always find a unique angle Li.
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Thanks, Sadje. The first thing I saw when I looked at the pic was the flag tacked up on the wall like a cheap decoration and the story sprang from there.
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Very real story
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History. Today, modern life tends to forget the pride and hard work that built the nation.
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Well said, James.
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Your thought provoking take has kicked off a really interesting dscussion, particularly among your American contributors. It’s St Georges Day, the UK’s patron saint, next week. There was a time when Union Jacks fluttered in celebration. It’s hardly recognised any more.
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Yes, it has, Keith, and I’m glad. I’m not even sure what St Georges Day is celebrating, but it sounds like it too has suffered.
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This is so good, Lisa, and so true. I had a TShirt with the US flag once, it was a gift from an American friend. And yes, you recognized most Americans abroad immediately. As you do Germans, just not by wearing flags.
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Thanks much, Gabi.
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And that was me, Gabi, above. Forgot to klick on that login button at the end of the repy field. Oh WordPress, why make things easy if you can make them difficult…
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WP is starting to twang on my last nerve with the having to log in for every freegin comment!!!!!!!!!
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Nicely woven commentary!
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Thank you!
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a highly polarized society won’t endure for long. respect for the flag becomes more like lip service.
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agree x 2
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My husband was in the Army Reserves when I was teaching history and English. One years, I asked for someone from the unit to come and explain our flag, and the proper handling of it; including its use to cover the coffins of the dead who were returened home. He did a terrific job, showed great respect for our flag, and left my students very quiet as he marched out of the room. It was a great experience.
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<3 <3 <3 Thank you for sharing this, Linda.
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The flag is a glaring example of how times have changed since I was school aged. Your story reminded me of that taking me down memory lane.
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Happy to take you down memory lane, Dawn.
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Such an interesting story. I like how you’ve blended the historical with the present time and attitudes. Lots of discussion, I see from everybody’s comments, which is also interesting. I’m thinking about how our society tends to cheapen many symbols that once were regarded with greater respect. I’m thinking about our feelings towards our countries, and how those feelings affect the way the countries in our modern world relate to each other. Phew – it’s complicated.
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Margaret, it sure is complicated. I’ve appreciated all of the thoughtful comments. Thank you very much.
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learnt another word-vexillology. thanks.
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I found it at wiki, stole it, and ran with it ;)
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What a story, Lisa, and a lot of discussion going on. That’s a sure sign of something well-written and provocative. I’m a proud American. Our flag waves on our front porch. I see nothing wrong with wearing an article of clothing with the American flag on it (or the flag of any country) if it’s done with respect and pride. I love my country and am heartbroken at the condition she is in right now. Thanks for an excellent write.
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Nancy, thank you very much for reading and your thoughtful comment. It’s definitely nice to hear the opinions of others on the matter where everyone is free to express them without fear of a war erupting from a difference of opinion. I think Friday Fictioneers cultivates that respect very well.
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Do you know that if you irritate a flag expert you are vexing a vexillologist?
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:)
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Yes indeed, what does it mean now compared to then? It’s a strange thing the American flag, Aussies have a different view of ours. Fascinating questions here
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Laurie, if you care to say more, what is the Aussies’ view of their flag?
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To some it is very “meh”.
To some it is a sense of pride but only for and on Australia day or in sports. (Like Olympics and Aussies vs world events like in soccer or cricket or swimming).
It’s only what we see as extremists that display it everywhere and talk about Australian over multiculturalism or “proud” like US p*ride boys. But that is rather the extreme fringe
But that’s just my view of things. Other Aussies may disagree.
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Like for example I don’t have anything with the flag on it at home other than sports gear… and many friends and family are the same. Other than cheap Australia Day gear or if you are travelling overseas maybe.
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Thanks for the blurb!
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Dear Lisa,
You give the reader much to think about, if not lament about. We have become the Divided States of America living in disturbing times, haven’t we?
In one of my stories a while back I leaned toward the patriotic side with an American flag prompt. One person who is not from the States criticized my story, saying that the flag might be offensive to some. (Yes, I was offended.)
Again. A good and thought provoking piece.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, thanks much and glad you enjoyed the story and the dialogue it generated.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Times sure have changed. I bet today’s kids don’t even know who Betsy Ross is.
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I think you’re right.
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The pledge is still said where I live, but no one can be forced to say it which respects our first amendment rights fought for in the courts (unlike the 2A which is somehow god-given). If one has the right to burn the flag as a freedom of expression, then they have the right to wear cheap, tacky goods brandishing it even if it is in poor taste and goes against flag code. Your micro- story says a lot and nice tribute to Betsy Ross.
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The freedom of expression is being ever more threatened. It feels like a relentless march to fascism. The right of the shop owner to tack up a wrinkled flag may not be pretty or liked, but it has a right to be. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
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I don’t know of anyone protesting the hanging or flying of the flag, just the pledge of allegiance. Are people protesting the flag itself? Yikes. That’s a bit much.
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