<We passed a lot of people going to the anti-war rally, and none of them were carrying American flags. In fact, I bet if we showed up at the rally waving American flags, we'd be sending the message that we support the war.>
Yes, I know, this is a serious mistake many antiwar groups make. I can remember, back during the anti-Vietnam war protests, people carrying Vietcong flags, and even the burning of American flags.
The problem is, that the first people committed to antiwar groups, the core/first organizers, tend to be ideological pacifists, often with a "social justice" agenda attached to their antiwar beliefs. These people don't fly flags in their front yards.
But in order to become a mass movement, a majority belief, the antiwar groups have to appeal to patriots who are tactical pacifist only. That is, people who will never say "all war is evil", but who might be convinced that "this war, at this time, fought in this way, is not the best choice".
So I will be holding an American flag in one hand, and my antiwar poster in the other, and encouraging the others in the demonstrations to do the same. |
