Many American Christians (especially those from anabaptist traditions like Mennonites) do not pledge/stand because of religious conviction. Should they be forced to do so? Told to leave the country if they don’t? Or is forced homage to the Empire reserved for minorities?
If the Religious Right/ Trump’s evangelical base actually cared about religious freedom, they would oppose this. (Spoiler alert: They don’t.)
This isn’t about patriotism. You don’t honor the freedom the flag supposedly represents by forcing people to suspend their right to protest and stand for it. This is about white supremacy. It’s about the president & his supporters putting black men “in their place.”
I know this is a culture war flash point and there are bigger issues to worry about, but I really struggle to take in the fact that the president of the United States is casually threatening to deport people who do not participate, to his liking, in patriotic ceremonies.
If you ever doubt this nation was founded more on white supremacy than on “freedom,” just watch how glibly white folks are handing over supposedly enshrined freedoms (press, worship, protest) in order to protect it.
