A new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that older, white Republicans are most likely to display the American flag outside their homes, while Black Americans are least likely. The findings come as America approaches its 250th anniversary, with national pride at a historic low.
Flag Display by Demographics
According to the survey of 2,596 adults, 50% said they never display the American flag at their homes, even during holidays like the Fourth of July. Only about 2 in 10 said they display the flag for most of the year. In comparison, a 2023 YouGov survey found that around 51% of Americans said they had an American flag at home, and 23% displayed it year-round.
Among Black adults, only 10% reported flying the American flag outside their home daily or for most of the year, and 18% said they put it out during holidays. For Hispanic adults, 19% displayed the flag year-round and 29% during holidays. Among white adults, 27% had their flags out daily, and 29% for holidays.
Symbolism and Division
Patrice Willoughby, NAACP chief of policy and legislation, told HuffPost, “Black Americans are deeply patriotic, but the choice to not fly the American flag is a reflection of the harsh duality of this country. There is a widening gap between the ideals the flag is meant to represent and what our nation has actually delivered.”
The survey found that only 22% of Black adults see the flag as a unifying symbol, compared to 42% of Hispanic adults and 55% of white adults. Young Democrats and independents are more likely to view the flag as a symbol of division.
Eddie Glaude, a political commentator and chair of Princeton’s Department of African American Studies, said, “There’s always been a kind of vexed relationship to the symbols of American patriotism in Black communities, primarily because of the history of racism in the country.” He noted that his father fought in Vietnam but faced voting difficulties upon returning home.
Political Polarization and Pride
The survey found that 73% of Republican respondents viewed the flag as a unifying symbol. Glaude explained, “When you see an identification of a certain iteration or expression of conservative politics, and it’s wrapped in the flag, the flag will bear the burden of that intensification.” He added that this dynamic has been especially pronounced this year, with former President Donald Trump blurring celebration of the country with celebration of himself.
A separate Gallup poll released on Monday found that 48% of white Americans fly the flag outside their home, compared to 33% of people of color. Gallup reported that national pride is at its lowest point since tracking began in 2001, with an eight-point drop from last year alone.
Historical Context
The debate over the American flag’s meaning for Black Americans is longstanding. In 1852, Frederick Douglass asked, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” saying, “The Fourth July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn.” More recently, Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality polarized the flag as a symbol of unity. The January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, where rioters carried the flag, also marked a turning point for many Americans.
Despite divisions, millions still display the flag. Federal law via the U.S. Flag Code governs display, including proper angle and lighting. Displaying the flag upside down is protected as political protest under the First Amendment, as seen during right-wing protests in 2024 after Trump’s conviction.
