Running errands on a Saturday morning, a pickup truck sporting a large TRUMP 2020 flag flying from the cargo bed zooms by in the opposite direcetion. This isn’t the first of these I’ve seen. Although I don’t see one every day, since I rarely venture out during this COVID-19 pandemic except to get more ice cream or wine. After seeing this Trump spangled banner roll by I wonder: why do I only see giant flags and giant signs with ‘Trump’ on them? Why don’t I see the same thing for Biden or Bernie or a Green Party or Libertarian candidate? What’s with the giant flags and huge signs?
Is a giant flag (GF) or giant sign (GS) a physical version of shouting? If so, is it ‘shouting from the rooftops’ or is it more like ‘shouting in your face’? I’m genuinely curious and haven’t been able to settle on a reasonable explanation for the motivation to adorn your truck/car/house/front yard with a massive banner.
Maybe it’s only a southern thing? Down here it’s still not unusual to see the more than occasional oversized Confederate flag. Is this just an extension of the same identity declaration? If so, I still wonder: why so big?
One of my pet theories is the GF or GS is exists to offset the uncertainty of the owners convictions. Or, maybe it’s an in-your-face declaration of a cause that they know is lost or at the least unpopular. I am wary of those musings because they easily reflect my prejudice against the causes they represent but still, it is visual shouting.
If it’s the visual equivalent of shouting from the rooftops why don’t we see these for other causes? ‘PRO-NO-CHOICE’ or ‘I HATE FACTS’, OR ‘IT’S OK, SHE’S JUST MY COUSIN’ I’m curious and remain perplexed.
Brain Particles 