May 29, 2020 – George Floyd & The Danger to American Democracy

My flagpole and the flags I fly are not generally a political statement. I fly flags because it brings me joy to do so. In these times of quarantine, I’m happy that my flag flying has brought some joy and diversion to my neighbors on your daily walks.

Today, I break that general rule. Today, I fly the flag with the union down in memory of George Floyd and as a statement of the danger our democracy faces right now. From all accounts that I have heard and read, Mr. Floyd was under arrest for a non-violent crime and a police officer in Minneapolis kneeled on his neck for over four minutes, which eventually killed him. This is a tragedy which should not have occurred.

Watching the nation react to these events has crystallized my understanding of the danger to American Democracy. We have leaders at all levels of government taking reckless actions and making public statements which threaten the fabric of what our country believes in and stands for.

• We value freedom of speech and expression.
• We value the fact the people have different beliefs, religions, and creeds.
• We respect that people have different opinions than ours and do not demonize them for believing something different than we do.
• We acknowledge that all people have a right to, “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
• We acknowledge that people of good faith can disagree.

Clearly, our nation has a history of actions which don’t live up to these and the many other values that we hold dear. With that said, I firmly believe that we are always striving to be a more perfect union. I acknowledge the rampant lack of equality and equity that is inherent in our system. I acknowledge the privilege that I have in my life.

When the government and/or its officials take actions, official or unofficial, and/or make statements that incite violence towards others, it is not right. When people are demonized for their beliefs and/or do many of the other things that President Trump has done during his time in office, they are not doing the basic tenet of their job. They are not being leaders, they are not upholding our national values.

4 USC 8 is entitled, “Respect for Flag.” It states that Americans should not show disrespect to our nation’s flag and lists several actions which congress considers disrespectful. Subsection a of this section reads, “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”

Today, the flag of the United States flies with the union down as a signal of the danger our democracy is facing and as a mark of respect for the life of George Floyd and the many other people of color whose lives have been taken under the color of law.