I think that's the idea we try to believe. But this entire situation proves that the flag is not a symbol of unity to a large portion of the population. On a different topic, but same result, I have recently seen many people publicly state that they now see the flag as a sign of being a racist or a hard core conservative. That they are actually afraid to buy clothes or items with the flag on it, because it appears they are making a political statement.

Which is amazing to examine for a few reasons. But also because the people obsessed with the code of the flag are the ones wearing the clothing, which is banned in the code and considered disrespectful.

Basically this is a giant clusterfuck. People are still being killed by police are a stupid pace. People continue to become more divided politically. And racial tensions continue to rise.

The idea that the flag is somehow supposed to unite us when all that other shit is going on, is simple minded at best.

It's just an excuse for a lot of people to hate other people even more.