Flag Persuasive Speech

723 Words3 Pages
Many Americans can recite the beginning of United States history, regardless of how detailed it is or not. Its fundamentals are simple: British colonists moved to North America, they believed that the British power was using their tyrannical rule for injustice, the American Revolution occurred, and July 4th, 1776 marks the birth of a new country: the United States. Even in the beginning, many were seeking a land where they could be free from figurative shackles. America represents these values and freedoms, and so does their American red, white, and blue flag. Burning the flag is, however, an extreme reaction to the lack of protection that America has offered. I believe it is acceptable to be able to burn a nation’s flag, where situations and…show more content…
The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” These freedoms that are highlighted, such as the freedom of speech, expression, press, assembly, and petition, are not to be meddled with. In the case Texas v. Johnson in 1989, where the Supreme Court put Gregory Lee Johnson on trial for the public burning of the American flag, it truly established that the desecration of the American flag is protected by the First Amendment. The prosecution of a fellow American for this desecration is unconstitutional and violates those freedoms we hold dear. On the contrary, the burning of the American flag reaffirms that the freedoms that the First Amendment protects are not swayed by other factors, especially if this expression is controversial within the…show more content…
Johnson. One might say that burning the America is disrespecting all the values that America stands for, as well as disrespecting soldiers who have fought or are fighting for freedom. However, paradoxically, by burning the American flag, you are actually reaffirming the values of freedom that the First Amendment stands for, that everyone has the right to express themselves freely without being prosecuted for their beliefs. In addition, historically, America has not treated every single diverse person with the freedom and dignity they deserve. Also, burning the American flag is not a symbol of disrespect for those who fought or are fighting in America’s defense; it is a symbol of distress and/or political protest against administrations who some might believe that are not efficiently doing their job correctly, and a pivot for change to make a better America, akin to these
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