American Flag Displays Denied—Threat to Muslims and Foreigners

PolitiChicks.com73-year-old veteran Tony Cumberworth has been flying the American flag in his yard for 20 years. However, his homeowner’s association (HOA) recently sent him a warning notice to take down the flag within four days or he’d be fined $50 a day, reports WXIA-TV.

The Georgia resident said, “I fought for this country. My son fought for this country. I do not understand them trying to take away my rights.”

Cumberworth reviewed the HOA bylaws but found nothing restricting residents from flying American flags. Shortly afterwards the HOA sent a letter stating, “Please disregard the code violation notice,” the message read. “It was sent to your home in error. We truly thank you for your service in Vietnam and your American flag can stay in your yard as long as your desire.”

Similarly, June 2014, Duy Tran of Webster, Texas was told by his apartment complex to remove an American flag from his balcony because it was a “threat towards the Muslim community.”

When contacted by KHOU, Tran’s apartment complex manager in a written statement said residents must comply with community guidelines, “Such guidelines maintain the aesthetics of our apartment community and provide for the safety of all residents,” the statement said. “The apartment community already proudly displays our country’s flag in a safe and appropriate manner at the entrances to our community.”

Tran explained to KHOU that another reason was given to him, “What really stunned me is that she said it’s a threat towards the Muslim community.”

Tran said he has no plans to remove his flag, “I’m gonna leave my flag there, as an American, until she shows me proof that I don’t have the right to leave my flag there,” he said.

Another incident in September of 2014 involved Brad Smith, a Diego State University sophomore after hanging an American flag from his balcony, was told in a written notice to remove it because foreigners could find the flag’s display offensive.

“We were then told that it was for political reasons and that the flag could offend foreign people that live here, foreign exchange students.” Smith added. “I’ve had friends and family fight to defend that flag.”

The lease agreement does contain a clause stating, “no signs or other personal property may be kept outside the premises.”

An associate of the owners of the apartment complex relented, telling ABC there was a “misunderstanding,” and that the flag would be allowed to fly.

Tran stood–and won.

The latest incident that caught media attention is the UC-Irvine student’s American flag ban, which was reported by CampusReform.org:

The Associated Students of University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) voted Tuesday to remove all flags, including American flags, from an inclusive space on campus because of their offensive nature. 

The bill, R50-70, was authored by Social Ecology Representative Matthew Guevara, and accuses all flags, especially, the American flag, of being ‘symbols of patriotism or weapons for nationalism.’ ”

Included in the text of the resolution is ASUCI’s disturbing rational:

Whereas flags are typically viewed as patriotic symbols of a single nation, are often associated with government and military due to their history and have a wide variety of interpretations. …

Whereas flags construct paradigms of conformity and sets homogenized standards for others to obtain which in this country typically are idolized as freedom, equality, and democracy. …

Whereas a common ideological understanding of the United States includes American exceptionalism and superiority. …

Whereas the American flag has been flown in instances of colonialism and imperialism. …

Whereas designers should be careful about using cultural symbols as the symbols will inherently remain open for interpretation. ..

Whereas a high-quality culturally inclusive spaces is essential in any society that embodies a dynamic and multifaceted culture 

Whereas freedom of speech is a valued right that ASUCI supports. 

Whereas freedom of speech, in a space that aims to be as inclusive as possible can be interpreted as hate speech.

While the UC-Irvine student executive cabinet vetoed the resolution, the mind-set is a bit confused as to what freedom of speech and hate speech is. That said, such a paradigm propagated in an America college is alarming.

In each of the above cases, the core objection in flying the American flag in our own country, on our own soil, on our own residential space is because it may offend foreigners or the Muslim community.

Flags are symbols that represent a value message that is deciphered by people. Interpretation lies within people, not within the symbol. The UC-Irvine students put “language” to their sentiment but what is equally troubling is the same mind-sets is seeping into the culture as a whole, including property managers. These paradigms are being constructed within the American educational system and need to be addressed by patriots—seriously. In each case, the dissenters backed down because patriots stood their ground.

Veterans fought for what our flag stands for. Many of our soldiers died defending our values and their mission. Others came home to loved ones maimed forever.

The loss of blood and treasure is incalculable. This mind-set is not acceptable.

Who is inculcating our students and citizens to deny proudly flying the flag on our soil because it may offend Muslims or foreigners? Foreigners and legal immigrants are welcome here, if they show respect to our values, which are represented by our symbols. If someone wants to become a citizen, they should assimilate because they respect us and what we stand for, or they should seek citizenship elsewhere.

Pamela Anne

Pamela Anne is first a Christian, secondly a Constitutional Republic patriot living in one of the declining blue states that's been primarily governed by Democrats for numerous decades. (Hence, the decline.) As a newly defined right winger by the Leftist linguistics practitioners, she admits to promoting, through key stroke and pen: One nation under Almighty God of the Bible, Conservative values, Constitutional principles and the Judeo-Christian philosophy. Pamela's background is in communication skills development, leadership training, and business management. Several of Pamela's articles have been picked up by multiple political blogs and news sites. She can be found on Facebook.

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