University of Kansas Removes Defaced American Flag After Criticism
“intended to serve as commentary on the deep divisions in the United States”
It was an American flag spattered with black paint. Now, they’re claiming it was “art.”
Inside Higher Ed reports:
The Flag and Free Expression
An art piece at the University of Kansas featuring a U.S. flag with illustrations on it is stirring up a decades-old debate: Should the flag get special protection under the First Amendment? The Supreme Court says no and has affirmed the right to burn the flag, but the Kansas dispute is one of many in which colleges have been questioned for uses of the flag to make art and/or political points.
“Untitled (Flag 2)” by German artist Josephine Meckseper was intended to serve as commentary on the deep divisions in the United States, according to a statement by the artist. Meckseper drip painted a rough illustration of the U.S. on the flag and a striped sock in the left-hand corner to symbolize children imprisoned on the border. Some are viewing the work as an affront to active military and veterans. Among them is Kansas governor Jeff Colyer, who called for the flag’s removal in a statement Wednesday.
“The disrespectful display of a desecrated American flag on the KU campus is absolutely unacceptable,” the statement read. “I demand that it be taken down immediately.”
After speaking with Colyer, the university’s chancellor, Doug Girod, ordered the removal of the flag, and it is now awaiting a new home inside the Spencer Museum of Art.
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Comments
This defaced flag should be taken to the nearest VFW post where it will be retired with the honor and respect it dezerves. Honor and respect; two qualities the administration and student body of the university of Kansas do not possess!
I think these “deep divisions” are mostly in the minds of the media.
Shameful. Simply shameful. But, then, I guess they don’t feel any shame as it’s “all good” as long as it’s justified in their own minds. And, what others think can be d*mned. Perhaps, the reason there isn’t a sense of shame is due to under-developed consciousness.
I don’t understand why they’re relocating it to the Spencer. Johnnycab23513 (above) has the correct answer to this act of vandalism; retire the flag in accordance with standard Flag Etiquette.
It would seem the chancellor needs a reminder.
We should all contact him.
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