I have been mulling what makes me react viscerally against images like this: white Americans with hands over their hearts pledging allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands. I don't want to ritually pledge with them that we are all in it together. In the same vein I resent the chants of USA! USA! and feel bludgeoned by it.
This all white crowd in Cincinnati is at a Trump victory tour. Its whiteness offends me. Cincinnati is 43% Black. This white crowd was soon chanting "lock her up" and "build the wall".
The Pledge was popularized in the 1950's one of the most intolerant periods of our history. I remember when they added "under God", which awkwardly altered the familiar rhythm of the ritual recitation; and reminded me that it is blasphemous to worship an inanimate object.
- GWC
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