Don’t Step on Your Own Message
One of the hallmarks of Donald Trump’s success is that he is an expert in messaging. Everything he does and says is “on brand.” Whether he’s touting the impossible 400% drop in egg prices, or boasting about his big, beautiful bill, he stays on message. He never steps on his own message at the time he is making his point.
Mexico has a long history, both before and after gaining independence from Spain in 1821. I have traveled to Mexico many times, as a tourist, a volunteer and on business. It is a beautiful country, and if your heritage is Mexican be proud.
Currently in the LA demonstrations I am seeing an abundance of Mexican flags among the demonstrators. And so have millions of others. I assume your demonstration, as is mine, is not against the United States of America, but to certain current policy decisions of the government. If you are demonstrating that this country has a long and well-founded freedom of speech, don’t step on your message! If you are demonstrating against nine-year-old children being separated from parents, don’t step on that message. If you are protesting the disappearance of your favorite street vendor, don’t step on that message. If you are demonstrating against mass arrest, of otherwise peaceful hard-working immigrants, don’t step on your message.
I am old enough to remember the significant message sent to Americans and the world we when seeing Berliners wave the American flag when the wall of the Iron Curtain came down. The world witnessed that message again in Tiananmen Square as Chinese’s demonstrators called for freedom while waving American flags. And later the world again saw freedom in Czechoslovakia, after gaining independence from the Former Soviet Union when crowds waived small American flags. Flags that were given to them, and that they had hidden away and saved since 1945 when they were handed out by American troops during the liberation of Europe. A few years later everyone saw Iranians waiving the American flag appealing for freedom and asking for American help in their fight for freedom. The American flag, the very symbol of liberty!
Always keep in mind that your right to assemble and express displeasure with your government exists under the flag of this country. The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory. Bring that flag as a reminder to everyone, those who agree with you and those who don’t. Let everyone know that you are demonstrating for the rights that are now under assault by current government policy. That you are demonstrating in support of freedom for everyone, not just one group. And always remember, your right to wave the Mexican flag, the Ukrainian flag or even the Nazi flag is only guaranteed by what the United States flag represents.
Don’t step on your message.