I just don't understand all of this

[kenny]

It all just seems so fluffy and without substance and reason.
Never been a fan of 'symbols' and 'meaning'.
That it's about MY tribe? Pfffft!

I also feel nothing about flags of a country, including my own country ... which I love deeply.

Sure, I'm sorry someone died.
I'm sorry when anyone dies.

There is a dark side to symbols like flags.
I say, one planet one people, one flag, if there must be a flag.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39462530
SNIP

Gilbert Baker, the San-Francisco-based artist who created the rainbow flag as a symbol for the gay community, has died aged 65, US media report.

The San Francisco Chronicle said Mr Baker died in his sleep at his home in New York on Thursday night.

He initially designed an eight-colour flag in 1978 for the city's gay freedom day, the precursor to the modern pride parade.

A candlelight vigil is planned for Friday evening in San Francisco.

Screenwriter Dustin Lance Black tweeted: "Rainbows weep. Our world is far less colourful without you, my love. Gilbert Baker gave us the rainbow flag to unite us. Unite again."

California State Senator Scott Weiner said Mr Baker's work "helped define the modern LGBT movement".

"Rest in power, Gilbert," he said.

Mr Baker's original flag had eight colours, each representing a different aspect of humanity:

• Pink - sexuality
• Red - life
• Orange - healing
• Yellow- sunlight
• Green - nature
• Turquoise - art
• Indigo - harmony
• Violet - human spirit

Read more: The rise of the rainbow flag

It would later be reduced to six stripes, removing pink and indigo, and swapping blue for turquoise.

Mr Baker said he wanted to convey the idea of diversity and inclusion, using "something from nature to represent that our sexuality is a human right".

In 2015, New York's Museum of Modern Art acquired the flag for its design collection, calling it a "powerful design milestone".

"I decided that we should have a flag, that a flag fit us as a symbol, that we are a people, a tribe if you will," Mr Baker told the Museum in an interview.

"And flags are about proclaiming power, so it's very appropriate."

A giant rainbow flag flies at the junction of Castro and Market streets in San Francisco, near Harvey Milk Plaza, which is named for America's first openly gay politician.

A candlelit vigil is planned for 19:00 local time (02:00 GMT) beneath the flag.

 

[OreoRosies86]

I guess I'm not understanding. You don't like flags?

There is a church on my street that has the iconic rainbow flag hanging above its doorway, letting people know ALL are welcome there. I suppose it's more succinct than putting up a billboard detailing its stance.

 

[ksinger]

The power of flags, or any symbols really, depend on how deeply you identify with the group or idea represented by the shorthand of the that symbol. If you are a cerebral type, most symbols are not going to have that straight-to-the-emotions power that they are supposed to, so I'm not surprised that you are left cold by flags.

But since you mention loving your country without need of flags, I would be curious, from a philosophical standpoint, is what it means to "love your country". There is a totally symbolically loaded phrase that doesn't often get examined, but should, especially in light of the turmoil we find ourselves in at the moment.

 

[kenny]

The power of flags, or any symbols really, depend on how deeply you identify with the group or idea represented by the shorthand of the that symbol. If you are a cerebral type, most symbols are not going to have that straight-to-the-emotions power that they are supposed to, so I'm not surprised that you are left cold by flags.

But since you mention loving your country without need of flags, I would be curious, from a philosophical standpoint, is what it means to "love your country". There is a totally symbolically loaded phrase that doesn't often get examined, but should, especially in light of the turmoil we find ourselves in at the moment.

Like people, countries are a mixed bag.
I love the good things about America, but hate the bad.

Even being aware of some of America's dark side I'm still glad I was born here (though a semi-socialist country like Sweden would have been a better fit.)
IMO, America is more good than bad.

You write, "The power of flags, or any symbols really, depend on how deeply you identify with the group or idea represented by the shorthand of the that symbol. "
I don't quite agree.
I think some flag wavers don't just love the good, they deny there's any bad in their group.

For me flags, as symbols, kinda creep me out, even the rainbow gay flag.
I don't like or attend gay pride things either.
I shouldn't be proud or ashamed to be gay any more than for having blond hair.
Gay is just another characteristic that just is.

It's my patriotism and admiration of the brilliance of our Constitution that makes me weep to watch it slipping into totalitarianism.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

There are symbols that make me catch my breath or bring tears to my eyes. I lived in New York for 35yrs. Every time I saw the statue of liberty in New York harbor my eyes teared up on their own. In the summer when I worked a few blocks from the United Nations building and we would go and eat our lunch there. A true thrill.
There is a piece of music, I think called Pomp and Circumstance,(with words) which they play at some graduations. I can weep at that. I embarrass myself. The ideas behind America are what makes her great. Reaching for the sky is the best we can do.

Annette