American flag Quote by Sarah Vowell
“However, displayed right alongside all the Confederate flag paraphernalia is a bunch of American flag merch – American flag place mats, patriotic “body crystals,” flag stickers you attach to your skin. Personally, I’m small-minded and literal enough that I see the two symbols as contradictory, especially in a time of war. But I fear that the consumer who buys a Confederate flag coffee cup, which she will then put on her American flag place mat, is the sort of sophisticated thinker who is open-minded enough that she is capable of hating blacks and Arabs at the same time.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The New Yorker, “The Confederate Flag in the Age of Protest”, 2020
The juxtaposition of Confederate and American symbols highlights contradictory loyalties and the potential for selective patriotism.
In simple terms: Two flags together expose conflicting identities.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and question mixed symbols.
Themes
identity
patriotism
contradiction
consumerism
Mood
conflicted
thoughtful
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- shopping for novelty items
- political protests
- gift giving
- home décor
Key Concepts
symbolic conflict
cognitive dissonance
cultural appropriation
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you consider the impact of symbols you display?
- How do mixed symbols affect societal values?
A Different Perspective
The interpretation assumes intent that may not exist; people may be unaware of the clash.
![“[Confederate flag] it's a symbol of racial hatred.” quote by Rick Santorum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/513/rick-santorum-1840_confederate_confederate-flag-it-s-a-symbol-of-racial_1241301.jpg)
![“It wasn't [Barack] Obama per se; it was the feeling on the ground; it was seeing an old black woman in a wheelchair being wheeled by her son waving a big American flag, and then seeing a guy with his baby in his arms saying, "I didn't want her to miss tonight! I wanted to be able to tell her!" And…” quote by Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/806/bill-ayers-1848_able_it-wasn-t-barack-obama-per-se-it-was-the_20409.jpg)
