Unpopular Opinion
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Vote the opposite of the norm.
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Warning: my takes on this are probably even more unpopular than the OP. I typically don't mention them to avoid whining, but since we're in a comm for unpopular opinions, might as well speak my mind.
A country flag is neither a symbol of your people, nor of the general population under the same government as you. It's the symbol of the government itself - an abstract entity, best seen as some sort of tool.
People who wave flags strongly remind me cows shaking their arses to show that they've been branded as property. "MOO! I'M PROUD OF BEING OWNED! MOO!"
Against the above, some might argue that their governments' flags used to represent some popular movement, or similar. Well, it is not your flag any more; co-opting symbols is bread-and-butter of exerting soft power over you.
And if you do feel the need of a flag for your identity... sorry to be blunt but you have millions of identities at your disposal; if the one that you pick is what subjects you, you probably need to touch some grass.
"But the president/king/minister said that..." - of course governments will tell you otherwise, it's convenient for them. But, most likely, not for you.
I understand your view, but it depends on your country. In Denmark the flag is used in a different way in everyday life I think. And I would say there are good reasons to be proud of Denmark as a country and the people have done well to own the flag themselves in this way. But yea, it can also be used in bad ways.
My vaugue understanding as a dumb American is that folk in other countries by and large aren't about repping flags in the first place, flying them, wearing them, etc
Not in the same way. In the US I believe you swear to the flag or something? Which seems super strange to me.
In Denmark the flag is used in basically any celebration, especially birthdays. It's common to have a cake with as many flags on as your age (usually for kids).
Luckily that flag is easy to emulate. Imagine trying to frost 10 American flags onto a cake.
Oh usually it's small paper flags stuck into the cake on small wooden sticks, not frosting :)
That makes more sense. Thanks.