Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

"Center Street Porch Series: Flags." This piece, along with others in the series, was exhibited at the Woodbury Museum faculty show, and a black-and-white version was printed in the essay collection: "Tell Me Who I Am," along with the other porch paintings in the series. The original was sold at auction last fall to benefit a housing program of the United Way.

This is part of the Center Street Porch Series I painted of the historic homes in downtown Provo. It began as a plein-air painting project with one of my summer semester classes. I have always loved this freshly-remodeled house with all the flags. Today the "Freedom Festival" is going on throughout Provo, a longstanding tradition.

My greatest hope is that in all our flag-waving we not forget the motto on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free." This country would not exist, nor would it be as amazing and creative and diverse, without its influx of immigrants. We are all immigrants here in a sense. The truly brave welcome those from diverse backgrounds and cultures with open arms. Perfect love casteth out  fear.

Back in May we visited the Newseum in Washington, D.C. It was one of the more fascinating museums we've visited. One display showed a color-coded world map of the range of countries with a free press. I was amazed to see what a small percentage of the world has a truly free press. Thank heaven for a democracy where we live, and a press that remains free (regardless of white house bullying). 

I remember after 9/11 feeling an urgent need to purchase a flag to display. I was surprised to see how many people had the same idea....there were long lines of people, from every ethnicity and socioeconomic background waiting to buy flags. It was so important to show unity, solidarity, and support for our nation under attack. 

A divisive presidential election and its aftermath has left the country divided, hurting, and often angry. Hopefully it won't require another vicious terrorist attack to remind us that when all is said and done we are all Americans. That flag was designed as a symbol to lift and unify us all.

​O say, can you see an opportunity to to figuratively join hands and embrace others with tolerance and compassion, including those who think and feel differently?

Question: Which of our many freedoms are you most grateful for?