When climate change became an issue some years ago, my father opined that you used to be able to talk about the weather without making enemies. I have observed that forbidden discussions now include the price of rice, school dress codes, highway improvements, professional football players, Walt Disney, sickness and health, developments in automobile propulsion, and the signs affixed to restroom doors.
For a while, I thought that elections, courts, and laws would prevent us from arming ourselves against mailmen, parking enforcement officials, and the guy from the electric company who comes to change out our 1949 electric meter. But, despite everyone’s best efforts, we all seem to be furious at each other and I don’t know why.
Our political beliefs differ from those of many of our friends and neighbors, but Natalie, bless her, manages to feed everyone and keep them on their best behavior. She is the middle child of a large Italian family and has taken the mantle of matriarch from her mother, who should have run the United Nations.
But there is a notable election coming in November, and matters seem to be intensifying. The house flags and banners and bumper stickers have exceeded the boundaries of good taste, and I wonder where friendships might have gone, and what we should do if we decline street combat.
So I had an idea for a flag, but I haven’t found where to get one. It would signal that while the bearer still holds strong political views and is inclined to defend these in an appropriate venue, he or she is unarmed and intends to remain so and is open to a civilized and perhaps even friendly discussion on any topic.
It would be a white flag. Not to symbolize surrender, which was never its original purpose, but a desire to communicate with opponents without the expectation of either immediate combat or retaliation.
It could fly on a home, a school, a library, a church, a stock-car race, a demolition derby or tractor pull, or a university, and be shown the same respect reserved for any state or federal flag. Its presence on a university campus would symbolize neutrality, a neutrality to be vigorously maintained by law enforcement if necessary. No loud or otherwise disruptive demonstrations permitted here, please.
Walmart sells white flags, says Google. 3’ X 5’ $15.99. Free delivery.
Mark Kinsler, kinsler33@gmail.com, lives under deep suspicion with Natalie and Juliette the Cat in a somewhat overworked little house in Lancaster.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Kinsler: Why a simple white flag might save our friendships
Reporting by Mark Kinsler, Special to the Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mark Kinsler, Special to the Eagle-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
