In light of the upcoming "Flag" amendment now before the US Senate I would
like to share this Supreme Court story with you. I apologize if this is
considered off the nature of the list but I feel compelled to share this
story since it to me is relevant. If historical discourse cannot be
safeguarded no matter how contrary, then our field is relegated to the
dustbin of history. I feel the amendment would pose just such a threat to
discourse.
Back in Seattle, WA there was a Native American man (I think gender was not
the issue) who placed a large American flag in his sixth story window.
Attached to the flag was some black tape in the form of the international
semaphore symbol for "N"uclear "D"isarmament, the well known "Peace Sign." A
patriotic parade took place in the street and paraded past the window with
this flag. The flag displayer was issued a ticket for "obstructing a parade,"
and "defacing the flag," if I remember. The fine was $75. That person fought
the ticket through all the State Appeals courts right up and into the Supreme
Court of the United States around 1973 if I remember, maybe earlier.
The Supreme Court justices overturned all of the State of Washington's
decisions and upheld the right of the defendant to display his freedom of
expression in the display of attaching the tape to the flag. This was
considered within the realm of "freedom of speech," and the justices upheld
the Bill of Rights as amended to the US Constitution. Later, in another case,
a Native American, defended our rights by challenging the constitutionality
of the ceremony of "oath taking," as part of religion, in that one swore to
"GOD," to perform under the US government. A similar addition was made the
Pledge of Allegiance during the administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, a
"confessed" author of prayers for soldiers if my memory serves me. Recently
many professional musicians have expressed their desire for a change in the
National Anthem, considering the "blood flowing in the streets" it references
in the second set of verses. Having worked at Fort McHenry as an
archaeological technician I can relate to the expression. Much of the history
surrounding the Fort has not been explained nor has a reasonable
representation of those there even told. So the point being not Key's
inspiration, but the setting of the song to the music of the "Archeon" or
something, a British pub wailer, in three part harmony. Perhaps, it is
suggested we sing of "America the Beautiful," than America the pubcrawler.
This has been suggested in public by such diverse Americans as Ray Charles,
to the conductor of the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra.
Many Native Americans are involved in the business of the US today and not
just the casinos. The DeLorme Map company, in Eastport, Maine has a Native
American on its board for example. I am proud to work in a field that helps
defend their rights especially since in my opinion they seem to be the only
ones sometimes defending mine.
George J. Myers, Jr.
[log in to unmask]
PS:Will the amendment keep me from disposing of old flags, i.e. burning them
as suggested by the VFW and other patriotic groups?
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