A new survey found that older, white Republicans are most likely to say that they fly the American flag outside their home, while Black Americans are least likely to. These findings were released in the days leading up to America’s 250th anniversary, when Americans’ pride seems to be at a historic low.
Fifty percent of the 2,596 adults surveyed by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research said they never display the American flag at their homes, even during holidays like the Fourth of July. Around 2 in 10 said they display the flag for most of the year. Last year, a YouGov survey found that around 51% of Americans said they had an American flag at home, and around 23% said they had it on display year-round.
Only 10% of Black adults who answered the AP-NORC survey said that they have an American flag outside their home daily or for most of the year, and 18% said they put it out during the holidays.
“Black Americans are deeply patriotic, but the choice to not fly the American flag is a reflection of the harsh duality of this country,” Patrice Willoughby, NAACP chief of policy and legislation, told HuffPost. “There is a widening gap between the ideals the flag is meant to represent and what our nation has actually delivered. Instead of dismantling the progress our communities fought and died for, the U.S. should honor the strength of our diversity and create a future that works for us all.”
