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Rachel wearing the American Flag as a scarf

My attention was drawn to Rachel, whom I met on Coney Islands sidewalk, because she wore a scarf showing the American flag. Since I was after people showing their US origin on Independence Day I approached her by introducing myself. I told her that I am an Austrian photographer currently doing an internship at a photo agency in Manhattan and that I am interested in the way Americans see their flag, that I want to know what makes America so special for them.

Rachel was very friendly and noticed my German accent. She started to talk a little German and told me that she lived in Germany for half a year and in England for quite a long time since her husband is from there. Regarding my questions we had a rather long and really interesting and nice conversation and she basicly told me the following:

Her family is jewish and they immigrated to the United States from Eastern Europe about a 100 years ago. It was the one place which gave home to her family. And the States have done more for Jewish people than any other country in the world.
Regarding the flag: it's not about fascism. It's just a sign of being American. MTV is cool nowadays, rockclubs are cool. But what about God and the flag. They aren't cool and that's a petty. People tend to have this all or nothing view. Take Bush for example. Every president makes unpopular decisions. Eight years later the next president comes and he'll make unpopular desicions as well.
When Rachel lived in England she felt very uncomfortable about being American in Britain although Britain is Americas number 1 ally. People asked her why Bush was elected, what's going on in Iraq, they asked her why this and this decision was made by the government. She pretended not to like what's going on the States to be left alone.

And when does Rachel wear the American flag? Hm... Only on special days. Well, only on July 4th and on Memorial Day probably. She told me:"I am wearing it to get a laugh out of people. I guess it's about getting attention".

Posted by Martin Fuchs on July 5, 2005 05:59 PM