ESPN writer William Rhoden told “CBS This Morning” that the American flag reminded him of Jan. 6 and the rise of White nationalism.
“I love the opening ceremonies, march of countries,” William Rhoden said on “CBS This Morning,” noting that he has long enjoyed covering the opening ceremonies for the games.
“Then I realized, you know, man, particularly after these last four years, I had it wrong. Nationalism is not good. We’ve seen the rise of White nationalism. Nationalism is not good.”
“And also, this whole idea — I keep thinking back on the Capitol riots, and I saw a lot of, you know, U.S. flags,” Rhoden said.
“So now when I see the flag and the flag raised, what — what America am I living in? You know, are the ones that don’t think, you know, we should be here?”
While Rhoden is not the only writer to criticize the flag, his words renew the controversy of those who seek to associate the American flag with violence rather than freedom. But it’s not the flag that’s the problem; it’s the perceptions of those biased against it.
There was apparently nothing wrong with the flag for Rhoden during past Olympic Games. His perception changed, however, following the events of Jan. 6. Yes, bad things happened on that day in Washington. Is it the flag’s fault?
Of course not. The flag guilty-by-association argument is demonstrably false. Maybe if American schools taught what the flag really stands for fewer people would complain about its modern associations.
Instead, too many woke revisionists want to rewrite American history and mock those who fought to found our country. While the nation’s history is far from perfect, our Founding Fathers sought freedom during a time when democracy was rare.
Today we enjoy unprecedented rights and privileges more than two centuries after the creation of our nation. Unfortunately, some choose to use their privilege to trash the nation and its flag rather than appreciate those who have sacrificed to protect our land.
Speaking of protecting our land, some of the American who revere our flag the most are those who have served in our nation’s military. When you have put your life on the line for your nation and have lost friends who have died to protect America, you have a much more sober view of the red, white and blue.
It’s not those who serve our country who trash the flag; it’s those who enjoy the protection of those serving in difficult situations, far from family and friends, who misuse their freedom to disrespect rather than to pay respect to all the American flag represents.
Maybe Rhoden would do well to attend a military funeral to discover how the American flag is treated by true patriots. The flag is a symbol of honor, not of shame. It’s time for the nation to remember the truly good and noble story behind our flag and those who fight to defend it.
