Don't Burn The Flag, Wash It
Note: I originally quoted Chaykin's entire essay in this post. I have since pared the quote down to just the parts that have stuck with me through the years.
The following is an essay written by the comic book creator Howard Chaykin that appeared in the first issue of his comic book American Flagg! in 1983. Through the years, I have realized that it had a pretty profound effect on my political sensibilities.
I was born on the 4th of July. My birthday cakes always had an American flag pattern as a kid. We would often have my birthday parties at the 4th of July Pops concerts in the park, where the second half of the program was all John Phillip Souza. I, too, have an intense identification with "the mythic aspects of America." And I really want to have a public washing of an American flag some day.
It'll make more sense when you read the essay. Enjoy.
"So, if you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag, wash it." - Norman Thomas
... And, on the basis of that simple precept, the upheaval of the sixties lost my spiritual commitment. My body stayed behind, to meet girls (historically speaking, liberal women always have been easier than Republicans).
What no one seemed to realize was, that by trashing 200 years of symbolism the movement virtually handed over the concept of patriotism to the "corporate fascist elite."
It's long past time we took patriotism back. I'm a liberal (some might say radical) kind of guy who still gets a bit squinky at the Star Spangled Banner. My identification with the mythic aspects of America is intense, to say the least.
And that's the why behind American Flagg! I'll be throwing you some (hopefully) pretty oddball concepts In this book; stick with me, I think it'll be worth your time.
...
Howard Chaykin,
April 15, 1983
9:00:10 AM 
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