This now famous photograph is of fire fighters raising the American flag over the wreckage of the World Trade Center. I feel this is the perfect example of art leading a nation on a "prosperous path, toward unity and glorification." This image has become such a source of inspiration that it has been reproduced, and circulated hundreds of times all over the country in many forms; copies of the picture, paintings, sculptures, etc. This picture displays national pride even in a time of despair. It shows all our enemies that no matter how badly they hurt us physically they cannot break our spirit and they will never put a dent in our love for our country. In spite of the evil things people do, we must stand up and stick together, that is what the flag stands for, unity. Placing the flag in the midst of all the terror and destruction sent a strong, clear message, not only to our enemies, but also to the distraught people of our nation who needed it."'Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away."1
The second photograph once again features an American flag but in a very different way. This time it is pictured not in an attempt to promote unity or national pride, but rather to discourage them. As I said before the flag stands as a symbol of and for the American way. To show it in flames symbolically burns what the United States and its citizens stand for. Flag burning in a portrait or in a public park is to display anti- American sentiment. Of course burning a flag will not bring down the United States, but it makes a powerful statement as to one's displeasure with the nation, just as erecting a flag makes a powerful statement of pride and love for the nation.
I feel that Plato would agree with me on both accounts. There is no question as to the patriotic value of the first piece of artwork, it would fall in line with his feelings that artwork should serve to support the state. I am not so sure about the second. The paragraph on the anti-American sentiments behind flag burning was undeniably tainted by my own personal (negative) views on the subject, perhaps there are other opinions on it. Either way, I do not think Plato would allow this kind of art in his Utopia. In Book X he comments on the power of poetry (which I will extend to art in general) to corrupt even those who we would not expect to be corrupted. In essence he is saying that art has the power to put ideas in our heads. If images such as the second one had never been presented to me, I do not think I would have ever thought of burning a flag. Would I now, simply because I've seen that this practice exists? Probably not, but discovering flag burning makes the possibility much greater.
The second photograph once again features an American flag but in a very different way. This time it is pictured not in an attempt to promote unity or national pride, but rather to discourage them. As I said before the flag stands as a symbol of and for the American way. To show it in flames symbolically burns what the United States and its citizens stand for. Flag burning in a portrait or in a public park is to display anti- American sentiment. Of course burning a flag will not bring down the United States, but it makes a powerful statement as to one's displeasure with the nation, just as erecting a flag makes a powerful statement of pride and love for the nation.I feel that Plato would agree with me on both accounts. There is no question as to the patriotic value of the first piece of artwork, it would fall in line with his feelings that artwork should serve to support the state. I am not so sure about the second. The paragraph on the anti-American sentiments behind flag burning was undeniably tainted by my own personal (negative) views on the subject, perhaps there are other opinions on it. Either way, I do not think Plato would allow this kind of art in his Utopia. In Book X he comments on the power of poetry (which I will extend to art in general) to corrupt even those who we would not expect to be corrupted. In essence he is saying that art has the power to put ideas in our heads. If images such as the second one had never been presented to me, I do not think I would have ever thought of burning a flag. Would I now, simply because I've seen that this practice exists? Probably not, but discovering flag burning makes the possibility much greater.
2 comments:
My internet shut down before I could edit this post, there is no citation for the quote at the end of the first paragraph. The line is from a patriotic song:
God Bless The USA by Lee Greenwood
In the quote, "The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men”, Plato stresses the great importance and necessity of being an active citizen. However, he also believed in the essentiality of honoring and promoting the state. I agree with what you said about the effects that the picture of the American flag being burned can have on people. I believe that Plato would conclude that this artwork would only serve to bring turmoil and disunity in a state and therefore should be censored.
I strongly believe that you can be an activist and fight for what you believe in, and yet still be a loyal citizen to your country. Though we have may have many individualistic differences in political and moral beliefs, it is our obligation to be reverential to our country’s emblem and the values for which it stands. If the citizens of a country treat its ensign in such a disrespectful and disdainful manner, how do you think other nations and countries will view that country. Flag burning is a deprave act that actively breeds division and disunity between individuals and their country and therefore prevents a nation from ever achieving complete solidarity and harmony.
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