JUST PHILOSOPHISING- ON, AMERICANS CHOOSING BETWEEN THEIR FLAG, THEIR GOD, AND THEIR HUMANITY! PART THE END.

The fact that they are not being shown the 'respect' and appreciation which they, and others, are being asked to show towards the National Flag and Anthem. 

Purported 'sacred symbols which, it is claimed, also represent them. How can they, unquestioningly, respect and honour the Flag and National Anthem, of the country which disrespects and dishonours them? 

And as for those who are always too ready to utter the refrain, 'then you can leave the country.' 

Let them remind themselves of the fact that, African Americans have, proportionally, probably sacrificed more of their lives and shed more blood for America, than any other ethnic group, except probably Native Americans. 

Not only as Slaves and workers employed in accruing the wealth of the nation. But also as soldiers, in wars such as the American War of Independence, the American Civil War, the two World Wars, and the Vietnam War.

But who are the people who are really disrespecting the Flag and the National Anthem? 

Are they not the people who are perpetuating and/or ignoring the injustices, the poverty, the racial discrimination and the ostracisation of Americans of colour, especially those of African American heritage? 

All of which is taking place under the watch of the nation's Flag and  within the echos of her proudly and solemnly sung National Anthem?

And so, it seems to me, that it is not that humans should make gods of their countries' Flags and National Anthems and worship and serve them, at the expense of human wellbeing and happiness. 

But that it is a country's duty to live upto the ideals and virtues which these symbols represents. 

After all, as I have noted earlier, national flags and anthems are only symbols of what are the aspirations of a country and people. They are not ends in themselves and do not have a separate intrinsic meaning. 

Like the gods we create and give dominion over us, without us, the people, these symbols are but nothing.

Let us hold, if we have to, the lives and well-being of people, of all ethnic backgrounds, humans, sacred and most precious, and not national flags, anthems and the like. 

If some are held prisoners by unjust and exploitative and oppressive socio-economic and political conditions, then, to some extent, we are all prisoners. 

If many justifiably have no reason to be proud of venerate the 'sacredised symbols of the nation', which speaks of grand ideals which are patently not being achieved, or are being ignored, then, the legitimacy of those symbols are in question.  

And it becomes the duty of the nation to effect the necessary changes to remedy the situation.