June is colored vividly, commemorating pride month and celebrating the diverse love in America. The inclusive community is raising awareness about their rights and eradicating hatred. All we can do is be an ally for the LGBTQ+ collective and normalize the societal integration of any sexual orientation.
POTUS expressed his solidarity in a symbolic way, depicting pride as one with the nation. However, that did not bode well with half of the country.
What Happened With The Iwo Jima Pride Flag?
A news publication, Babylon Bee, published an article about President Biden raising a Pride flag at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington County, Virginia.
The article posted several comments made by President Biden in response to the polarizing decision–
“This flag is now the most revered symbol in our nation.”
“It’s only right for the Iwo Jima memorial to be updated to represent the brave men and women and non-men and non-women and those other things who are fighting even more bravely than the soldiers of World War II. These fellas with breasts who were on my lawn — they’re the true warriors. Chocolate chip braggleflurven!”
This strange statement brought about a wave of outrage on Twitter. People were condemning the blatant disrespect of the historic memorial and accusing Biden of tarnishing the American sentiment.
The first argument of the netizens was the pride flag does not represent what the Marines sacrificed their lives for.
Secondly, the LGBTQ+ community is a minor fraction of America. The majority does not agree with the same views. People are also accusing Biden of portraying America as a laughing stock to the world at the expense of patriotism.
Some netizens expressed their disdain for this decision–
“They didn’t raise this flag. It was AMERICAN FLAG. IWO JIMA did not have a pride flag!! Wake up, America! You are disrespecting our warriors!” – @JohnRomeroRoc
“Shame on Joke “Full of Pride” Biden: As part of his administration’s expanding efforts to celebrate Pride Month, President Joe Biden has announced the Iwo Jima memorial will be updated to feature the Pride flag.” – @PhillipDenton
“Arlington Cemetary should be experiencing an earthquake right now, with all the soldiers turning over in their graves because of all this nonsense. They didn’t fight to plop down a pride flag at Iwo Jima.” – @uberfriedguy
“Because that’s exactly what those guys were fighting for as they risked their lives on Iwo Jima that day. To raise the Gay Pride flag. This country and its admin is the laughing stock of the world.” – @CindiHoward429
What exactly prompted such an intense backlash? Why is Iwo Jima so sacred? Let us dive deep into the reasoning–
Iwo Jima Memorial Significance
Iwo Jima Memorial is emblematic of all the Marines who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
This monumental moment was captured during World War II when the U.S. celebrated victory at Iwo Jima.
Iwo Jima is a small island in the Pacific Ocean near Japan. In the early hours of 23rd February 1945, America declared victory on Mount Suribachi after a strenuous fight on the island. Later that afternoon, a group of Marines: Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. Harland H. Block, Pfc. Franklin R. Sousley, Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes, and PhM. 2/c John H Bradley raised the American flag.
USN photographer Joe Rosenthal captured this Pulitzer Prize-winning picture.
Felix W. de Weldon recreated this picture by creating a life-size sculpture which is now located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River.
On 10th November 1954, President Eisenhower inaugurated the memorial on the 179th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Hence, it’s evident how significant this monument is for America. People were agitated over another flag being replaced on the memorial. According to the conservative-leaning population, the pride flag diminishes the value of the moment representing the whole of America and not a portion of it.
Is the Iwo Jima Pride Flag Real? Debunked
As a matter of fact, the Pride flag was never raised on the Iwo Jima memorial. The news publication Babylon Bee is a satirical platform for fake news. It is a conservative, Christian, evangelical platform for satirical articles that poke fun at the woke media.
This article was a spoof on the current administration’s stance on Pride Month. None of the statements mentioned in the article are true.
The article was published after Biden hosted a Pride event at the South Lawn. And the pride flag was hoisted on the White House.
This angered a bunch of Republicans who are against same-sex marriages and equate the Pride Flag with p*d*philia and grooming of children. Ben Shapiro, a right-leaning political pundit, voiced his opinion on the flag–
The counter-argument to his statement is stating an assumption as a fact. Where is the stat that all the Americans who fought for the country were not a part of the LGBT community? This flag is hoisted only for a month, celebrating the Pride of Love.
What Does a Flag Represent?
It represents the people, diverse ideologies, human rights, and the freedom to choose and live. A flag is not just about who sacrifices, who pays taxes, and what laws are elected.
Amidst the ruckus of false news, we wish all a very happy pride month!
What are your thoughts on this “new?” Do you believe every article, or do you check the source’s credibility? Do you agree with hoisting a pride flag on the White House, or do you think it marginalizes an ideology?
Let us know your opinions in the comment section below.
