According to Merriam-Webster online dictionary, the definition of patriotism is love for or devotion to one’s country. Now, one could argue that the ways listed below are just ways of showing love and devotion to ones country however, I beg to differ.
Social media for most has become more about how many followers or friends can they get, or how many retweets and likes they can get rather than “staying connected”.
I have found that two of the latest fads are not only tasteless, but disrespectful.
One of the fads I have noticed are women wearing American Flag printed bikinis. Now if you have ever read comments on Instagram, they are truly revolting. A woman with large breast, posed in such a bikini with a caption of “I love America” or something regarding America. However the comments reflect no such “patriotism” from men, either saying “God Bless America” or some other comment talking about her body, instead of the fact “she” was trying to say something about being an American. Are women trying to sexualize patriotism? That’s what I think when I see it.
The second reason I am not a fan of American Flag printed bathing suits is for the simple fact of it is a flag. It is a symbol of the men and women who have died to protect this country, to protect our liberties and freedoms, and woman are prancing around in it? No, thank you.
Another fad I have stumbled across is the latest obsession with using an American flag as a prop in pictures! I see it more with Military couples, posing with an American flag while kissing, having it draped around them, or the tasteless boudoir photos of a naked woman wrapped up in it, on the ground, or on a bed. When did this become okay?
I could almost understand doing it for only your husband or spouses eyes (something no one knows about), but these women take it to social media to try and get some kind of praise for it.
People have the freedom of expression and I respect that wholeheartedly, but what I do not respect if the way they carelessy handle the American Flag and how American Flag printed material is now a fad. Have you ever seen how carefully and properly a flag is handle? Have you ever seen how properly, with great poise, an American flag is folded specifically at a Military funeral?
The people who are a part of this obviously know NO Flag Etiquette. One rule imparticular is
“Never use the flag for decoration”
If you would like to read further into this, please visit http://www.vfw.org/flag/
Some may argue “then why aren’t you saying this to athletes at the olympics, or people at the World Cup” and I may sound a wee-bit hypocritcal, but Olympic athletes are representing their country, against the world. They have a sense of patriotism. People dressed up in red, white, and blue, or is “Patriotic attire” are there to support their country. They are not prancing around in it for likes, they are showing love and devotion to one’s country.
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In addition, patriotism is not something you tweet about or take pictures of. Patriotism is NOT a fad. Being an American is a true honor, something everyone should be grateful of and respectful of. Our flag is a symbol of that.
In closing, I would just like to add there is a million different ways for you to show your love and devotion to your country, besides dressing like an American Flag or posing with one. Get involved in your community, get involved with organizations, be active in society. Get out and enjoy your liberties and freedoms that the American Flag represents.
As always, thanks for reading!
-P.Hawk
xoxo
Be Brilliant 