Speaks Out

Do you think burning or desecrating the American flag is
an appropriate form of protesting the potential attacks on
Afghanistan? Kemi Moreira Fourth-year
Biology “I think it’s very ineffective. If you’re
an American citizen, it’s disrespectful to your own country
to burn the flag. It divides us among ourselves as Americans. I
think those people who are burning the flags are truly trying to
fight for liberty and our freedom, but what they are really doing
is creating a double negative.” Nikao Yang
Graduate student Anderson School of Management “If you want
to burn a flag, that’s fine. But I don’t think
it’s an effective form of protest. Often times, you have
people that are on the fence about the issue. But when they see
something desecrated that means a lot in terms of their American
heritage, they might find that offensive and might be against you
for that action, overlooking the very stance that you’re
taking.” Jon Frank Second-year Molecular,
cell and developmental biology “Everyone is displaying their
flags to show that we have unity in the United States, to show that
something like this is not going to break us. And then you have
people burning the American flag saying we’re not united,
we’re divided regarding what we’re going to do. And
that just makes the U.S. look weak.” Yousef
Tajsar Second-year Philosophy “I think that during
these times and in this situation, no matter what you’re
protesting, it might not be the right thing to do. But at the same
time I think that one of the greatest things about America and what
the flag is supposed to symbolize is the free speech issue. But I
don’t think it’s the right thing to do to burn the
flag, especially in these times. I think it does more harm than
good.” Speaks Out compiled by Edward Chiao, Daily Bruin
Senior Staff. Photos by Daniel Wong, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.