FLYING THE FLAG

 

A man or woman going about their daily work. Working to earn money to put food on the table, have a purpose and generally contribute to society. A fine thing. Obeying the rule of law, looking to be left alone to carry out their tasks.

Men (generally men) spending time hoisting union flags made in China on lampposts owned by the local authority. Breaking the law. Prioritising their thoughts over and above all else. The men (yes, it’s usually men) of Raise The Colours. An organisation (sort of) dedicated, it seems to the importation of plastic flags and the harassment of the employed.

If you disapprove of this flag fluttering overhead outside your house you are labelled a traitor. If you try to take down this flag you are threatened both with quotes about the law that are not actually the law and with physical harm. All done with mobile phone recording for dubious posterity.

The local authority sends a couple of staff to remove the flag, costing the taxpayer money, and these ordinary people doing what they need to do to fulfil their job role are harassed and harangued. The police who arrive on the scene carrying out their duty receive the same treatment.

It is almost as if the men (it’s mostly men) of Raise The Colours have nothing better to do with their time. Shouldn’t they be at work?

The Union flag is our flag, and when I say “our” I am referring to everyone who lives in the United Kingdom. When the Lionesses won the world cup, people got their flags out. When Mo Farah won gold medals at the Olympics people got their flags out. The Who and the Jam celebrated the Union Flag, so did Stormzy and Ginger Spice. 

A flag is a symbol; we all understand that right? But the use of symbols is all about intent. A symbol can be celebratory, but it can also be frightening. A symbol can be unifying, but it can also be divisive. A symbol can be welcoming, but it can also be threatening.

Here in London, one doesn’t see many, if any, Union flags fluttering atop lampposts. Maybe because Londoners are too busy getting on with things, maybe because intimidation and bullying won’t wash or maybe because London has been through the Blitz, 7/7, riots, terrorist attacks and American Tourism so perhaps a couple of blokes attempting to climb a ladder with cheap flags is the least of our worries.

Or maybe it's that rage is not as misdirected in communities in a metropolis as it is on the outskirts where other reasons for self loathing are easier to fixate on?