"Some people think that if you are
free to say what you like, you are living in a democracy. But
freedom of speech is not the sum
total of democracy, only one of its necessary conditions. A government
is not a democracy when it leaves us free to say what we
want but leaves others free to do what they want with our country,
our resources, our taxes and our lives" - Michael Parenti.
An editorial by Jamie York
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. flag displays and slogans such as "United We Stand" and "God Bless America" have become more prominent. Such displays facilitate healing by making us feel that we are doing something positive during this dark time, but until there is true freedom, justice and equality right here in the United States of America, then the U.S. flag symbolizes the empty promise of a dream yet to be realized.
Until we, as a nation, are willing to guarantee a living wage for all citizens -- as well as affordable health care, quality education, decent housing and civil liberties -- the flag will represent an empty promise.
Until we, as a nation, can overcome the same old problems of racism, classism, sexism and media censorship that keep the majority of us from realizing the American Dream, the flag will represent an empty promise.
Until we, as a nation, can ensure that our foreign policy promotes economic justice and respects sovereignty, self-determination and International Law, the flag will represent an empty promise.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, President George W. Bush said that he is against the racial profiling and stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims as terrorists, yet he didn't say a word about the racial profiling and stereotyping of Black and Latino youth as gang bangers and criminals. While the Bush administration and the U.S. military -- along with their lapdogs in the mass media -- are busy fighting the "war on terrorism" overseas, the struggle for freedom, democracy, and basic human rights here in the USA continues.
Only when the American Dream becomes a reality for all of us will the U.S. flag become a true symbol of "freedom and justice for all."