Nationalism is the new N-word

The Superintendent of Schools in the OK Conference in Western Michigan recently banned the presentation of the Betsy Ross American flag and chants by students and fans of ‘USA’ during high school sports games because they were supposedly offensive symbols of racial hatred.

Many people have been left scratching their heads at this seemingly bizarre display of political correctness and wondering, quite appropriately, since when did patriotism and nationalism become the new “N-word?”

{mosads}School superintendent Dan Behm initially defended the students’ activities, citing an annual display of the colors red, white and blue in conjunction with the school’s commemoration of the 9-11 terrorist attacks. That sounds innocuous enough. Some students however, also, displayed Donald Trump campaign flags alongside their American flags, obviously promoting a partisan political agenda that extended beyond a display of patriotism. 

In a letter to the school after the event, Behm expressed as much, stating “Injecting partisan politics into a community football game and into a commemoration of the events of September 11th is inappropriate.”  And it would have been fine if the comment ended there.

But he continued; “Parading our current United States flag in a manner that is inconsistent with proper etiquette is disrespectful to all who have served our nation. And, to wave a historical version of our flag, that to some symbolizes exclusion and hate, injects hostility and confusion to an event where no one intended to do so.” This is where is ignorance hijacked his common sense in terms of appeasing the gods of political correctness.

It makes sense of course that schools should regulate the display banners, symbols and even words that might be considered inflammatory and divisive. After all, matters of school safety and promoting an environment conducive to learning always have to be balanced against the free speech rights of students and other members of the school community.

Symbols that may in some contexts seem perfectly benign may in others be used to confront and divide people. But to imply that an original version of the American flag automatically injects hate and hostility is incredibly anti American and more than a stretch.

To many people, the Betsy Ross flag celebrates the American Revolution and the genesis of the American constitution.  In recent years it has been used as a symbol of resistance to globalism and the need for a restoration of constitutional principles. Flown next to a Trump Banner, it may serve to reinforce the ideology of maintaining America’s sovereign rights, especially given Trump’s America-first philosophy.

But the bigger problem with invading almost all political expression — even in a school setting — is that doing so tends to suppress the legitimate voices of Americans. Continuing to suppress freedom of expression in this way may lead to frustration and inspire potentially less constructive ways of voicing social discontent. We don’t ever want to get to the point where people are resorting to less positive means of expression. The war of words may be intense, but it is highly preferable to a war of physical violence.  

This episode provides still another indication that ex uno plures is replacing e pluribus unum as a lingua franca in political discourse; sometimes imagined slights are given just as much credence as actual insults. When we reach the point that we cry wolf over every imagined instance of offense, it makes real cries of offense and harm less effective. No one can hear them through the noise. Let’s not risk throwing out the baby with the bathwater by over-regulating free speech.

There is an additional lesson to be learned here. When professional athletes use the national anthem and American flag as platforms for partisan agendas, it sends a message to the youth who look up to them as role models. Why shouldn’t a high school player be allowed to use the patriotic ceremony as a political platform as well? Colin Kaepernick and the players who support kneeling during the national anthem to protest police abuse of African Americans would do well to observe some of the unintended consequences of their actions.           

We are really treading on dangerous ground when the very rituals we use to celebrate national unity become characterized by some as symbols of division.  

What’s next? Will the national anthem itself be banned because someone is offended by its revolutionary call to arms? We should be proud of students who are learning about their history and gaining a sense of civic pride. These are exactly the type of activities that lead to informed citizens exercising their constitutional rights.  

We may be going too far in regulating imperfect speech, at the cost of producing citizens who are afraid to think for themselves.

Williams is the author of a national conservative newspaper column and is a host on Sirius/XM Radio’s Urban View channel. He is the author of the book Reawakening Virtues. Read his content at RightSideWire.com, become a fan on FaceBook, and follow him on Twitter. 

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