A new national survey shows a stark racial divide in how Americans display the flag, with only about 3 in 10 Black adults saying they ever fly it, compared with roughly half of White and Hispanic adults.
The poll, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday, also found the divide splits along age and political lines. About 7 in 10 Republicans and 6 in 10 Americans over 60 fly the flag at least during holidays, while about 6 in 10 Democrats and independents say they never do.
In Detroit, two Black residents illustrate the split. Jerry Esters, 64, flies three American flags at his home, honoring his great-great-grandmother, who was born into slavery. “We went through a lot to be able to own nice homes, and this is what we fought for,” Mr. Esters said.
A few miles away, Yvonne Pistochini, 79, says she would never fly the flag. “Just because you fly a flag doesn’t make you a patriot,” Ms. Pistochini said.
Matthew Delmont, a history professor at Dartmouth College, said the divide reflects how differently Americans experience the flag’s meaning. “A lot of Black Americans see the flag as a symbol of both inclusion and exclusion,” Mr. Delmont said.
Overall, 47% of Americans see the flag as unifying, while just 22% of Black adults agree.
Read more:
• Why most Black Americans say they never fly the American flag, according to a new AP-NORC poll
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