Jonathan Boda

AP English
Pg. 258 essay Prompt
January 10th 2008

The rights we have as American citizens are very loosely defined, many are open
to interpretation. Flag burning is a legitimate expression of political feelings and
although the flag is a national symbol of freedom, our freedom of speech should allow us
to do as we wish with our symbol.
The constitution does not specify exactly what legitimate forms of expression are.
The constitution provides for the citizens to have freedom of speech. It does not specify
whether that speech can also be interpreted as freedom of expression. Recently though,
many people have come to the opinion that flag burning is that protected freedom of an
American citizen. It is obvious that such a right should be protected. Although the
constitution gives such an abstract sense of right and wrong, it is clear that the American
public should have the right to express itself as necessary in order to define our political
attitudes.
As noted in the bill of rights, citizens have a freedom of speech that cannot be
restricted or prohibited. Although there may be some exceptions to that such as profanity
and other types of speech that are morally offensive, there is undeniably a freedom to
peacefully present your emotions and political attitude. To restrict freedom of expression
such as flag burning would take away a fundamental freedom that sets our country apart.
Our country is a symbol of freedom, to begin to take away those freedoms would be
hypocritical. This country is such wonderful place that people are legally allowed to
present their views without fearing a political punishment.
Some people may argue that since the flag is a symbol of freedom, burning it
takes away the inspiration and the freedom that it represents. I argue that is not true.
Burning the flag is more of a symbol of freedom than the flag itself is. Ultimately, the
world respects our country and its symbols, but if we can not relinquish our grip over our
own symbols, they will become meaningless. Our own court system agrees that the
American public has a right to express itself via flag burning or other methods. In the
Supreme Court case Texas vs. Johnson, the court upheld the decision that flag burning is
protected in the constitution.
 America is a land of freedom and opportunity; we are allowed freedoms that no
other country has. If we alter our rights to expression, we may be allowing our own
imprisonment. Flag burning is a right we should keep, regardless of its offensive nature
to some, because it is also a symbol of our freedom, the freedom we should protect no
matter what.