Looking at the symbol of my country from a long view

We stood and pledged allegiance to it each and every day of school, before any of us knew what the word allegiance meant. Now I see the flag being waved in an inverted jingoism, shouting that there are layers of patriotism, and those that don’t share their beliefs, are lesser Americans or maybe not “real” Americans at all.

These recent layered fiber works probe my feelings about this symbol of my country that has been the embodiment of the values to which I promised allegiance when I was six years old.