Knowledge and Understanding

By Tammy Derouin

The lack of respect or indifference towards the American flag is beyond sad and upsetting. It shows a much bigger problem which has taken place in our country; lack of knowledge and understanding. Our history is not being taught, as it once was, so even basic knowledge is disappearing. Dates, names and events are being forgotten. As facts disappear, so does the truth.

Far too many individuals no longer seem to understand why we are free or what took place to secure our blessing of liberty. Rights are demanded but they are not understood. With freedom comes responsibility and if we are not responsible, freedom begins to disappear. It is happening right before our eyes. Our rights to speak and assemble are being denied by hate groups. These groups have emerged with an agenda to bully, shout down and or violently attack those who do not share their philosophy. Freedoms and rights are for all American citizens, not just those who speak the loudest or dress in scary costumes. These groups have a right to their opinion; their thoughts and beliefs. They have a right to speak and be heard. They do not have the right to prevent those who do not agree with them from speaking and being heard as well.

We have God-given rights, rights which are acknowledged by the founders, stated in the Bill of Rights and protected by the Constitution. Our rights include being able to live and believe as we choose, as long as we do not infringe on the rights of others. When we stop paying attention or understanding our basics rights, a political agenda finds its way to the forefront. So-called social justice becomes all the rage and political correctness and political re-education begins to fill the gap created by lack of knowledge and understanding.

As cursive disappears from the government run public schools, how will future generations read our founding documents? Without knowledge of the truth, control is easier to obtain. I recall, some time ago, a text book which had the Second Amendment worded differently. Without knowledge of the truth and by inserting a political agenda, a God-given right could easily disappear. Let's think about this not so impossible possibility. If children, or anyone for that matter, who do not know any better believes what they are reading, what they are being taught, it wouldn't take much to re-write our rights. The re-education could take off on a whole new level. Without any reference to the original documents, there isn't any way to question and check for accuracy. If a picture of the original documents were inserted, lack of understanding cursive would mean dependency on the individual teaching and the agenda being taught.

The flag is the symbol of our freedom but many argue that the flag is just a piece of cloth, it doesn't really mean anything. That absolutely astonishes and horrifies me. Am I also supposed to believe that the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution are just pieces of paper? What gives something meaning? Knowledge and understanding; the belief that we value our freedoms and rights because we understand our history and acknowledge why they are important and how fragile they can become without proper care. It isn't the actual document or the flag which make us an exceptional nation, it's the belief of the people and the desire to hold dear the values and traditions which make us free. Once that is understood, respect for our symbols of freedom comes automatically.

Our founding documents tell why it was necessary to break free from bondage and establish a system of government which would provide freedom for all. Freedom and rights for all did not happen over-night. It took time and many struggles. Our founders created a path for freedom. Our Constitution brilliantly records our historical journey. It also records mistakes and corrections.

Our freedom is fragile. Our homeland, our founding principles and beliefs, must be protected and secured from those who wish to destroy us. Sadly, the threat is both foreign and domestic. When we stop teaching our history and stop paying attention to politics and the people we elect, we create a recipe for disaster.

Our flag represents our freedom, our ability to make changes and have our voices heard. Why would you disrespect the symbol of that freedom or those who have died, sacrificed and presently serve protecting your freedoms?

“I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”

Alexander the Great