Independence Day and the American flag, our great unifier. (video) – Ray Rickman

by Nancy Thomas & Ray Rickman

On this Independence Day, July 4, 2024, we feel the need for unification and security in these unprecedented times.

A spontaneous video done one day in the Stages of Freedom and African American Museum and gift shop is on its way to becoming viral – bringing in accolades from the left, the right – and the middle. And Ray Rickman says, isn’t that the whole idea?

We remember a time when there was a great unifier – a symbol that drew Americans together in a time of threat and need – our American flag. We remember when there wasn’t a front yard, a car, an office, a desk, or a flower pot without the American flag waving. It was after 9-11. A time when we didn’t know if the whole world was crashing down around these United States of America.

We added little emoji flags to our emails. We put our keys on flag keychains. We proudly wore the red-white-and-blue in a variety of ways. And patriotic songs were popular, and were played on all genres of radio stations, before and after television shows, and printed on newspaper mastheads.

As divisiveness has spread like wildfire in our country – and in many countries – perhaps this is a good time to once again embrace the American flag. We can fly all the others, if we are motivated to do so – the Blue Line, the Pride, the BLM, and all the patriotic days of proud immigrants’ countries who live in this country now – but first – and foremost – and with the most pride – let us buy an American flag – fly an American flag – it just could be the great American unifier.

Surely we want to embrace peace – and not live in the scourge of animus that surrounds us – surely we do?

So, thank you, Ray… for reminding us that, in these United States, we really are one. Fly your flag today – and fly it proudly.