Occupy Radical Patriotism: Wave the flag of revolution | Mickey Z.

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Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

"We have two American flags always: one for the rich and one for the poor. When the rich fly it means that things are under control; when the poor fly it means danger, revolution, anarchy." --Henry Miller

Apr. 3, 2012 -- You know the drill by now: A Facebook friend posts a powerfully worded status in support of Occupy Wall Street (OWS) and her/his more mainstream friends launch into reflexive, uninformed assault mode.

When this happened last week on a friend's page, I opted to step up and offer my two cents in solidarity. Not surprisingly, this only served to deflect the emotion in my direction.

You know this drill, too: If you hate America so much, why don’t you leave?

For the record, I don’t "hate America." In fact, I think it’s one of the best countries anyone ever stole. (insert rimshot here)

To such folks, says Michael Parenti, “America is a simplified ideological abstraction, an emotive symbol represented by other abstract symbols like the flag. It is the object of a faithlike devotion, unencumbered by honest history.” For them, Parenti adds: “Those who do not share in this uncritical Americanism ought to go live in some other country.”

When Paul Robeson was faced with a similar suggestion from the House Un-American Activities Committee, on June 12, 1956, he replied: "My father was a slave and my people died to build this country, and I'm going to stay right here and have a part of it, just like you. And no fascist-minded people like you will drive me from it. Is that clear?"

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