Pride of a Flag

As a Fordham University student, 75% of my life is spent around Columbus circle. So often, I come across individuals, objects, and signs that inform and inspire me with knowledge I had previously not known. In addition to that, often I face moments where the smallest things remind me of what this country is built on and what I strive to achieve. I have walked on W60th street so often, but it was only two days ago that one symbolic object had struck me so hard. What shook me was realizing that I walk this street at least 2 times a day for 5 days a week but only recently did this majestic, and overhanging emblem manage to grab my attention. As I was walking down the road, situationally a vicious wind blew through the block and above me swayed the brilliant American flag. What’s ironic is how common it is to notice a flag all around NYC but how frequently do we really stop to appreciate and acknowledge the meaning and significance that lies behind the obvious external image? As it flew so freely, I didn’t only see a flag waving in the air but I saw the innocence, justice, and grit permeating through the flag while evenly distributing amongst the locals inhabiting the country.

 I could feel a sense of pride filling me and instantaneously I remembered what this country has gone through and how significant it is to fight for justice. A look back intro history shows the renowned Dorothy Day being a prime example of a citizen who fought for justice. She was among 40 women who protested in front of the White House to gain the attention that would make amends to the voting rights thats women were exempted from. The flag symbolizes so much more than just blue, white, and red, it represents the freedom for a Jew to go into a synagogue without being questioned, and a Muslim to wear the hijab freely or a Buddhist doing whatever he/she must to attain Nirvana. It is an object of religious significance because it epitomizes the idea of religion to be freely practiced without any questions. It allows for the diversity of religion, and this itself states the value of religion. This one flag holds years of countless stories that reflect the suffrage people of various religions have previously faced; this one flag however, so effortfully shows a thumbs up to the Amish entering the church, or the Hindu praying to their God. This diverse religious allowance, breaks barriers of animosity and reflects justice for all. Situationally, the breeze of the wind stopped and I continued my walk, but now it was a much more prideful walk, simply after that one encounter with our commonly seen blue, white and red flag.