When to take the posters down?

Girls unloading their belongings from a car covered entirely in Obama stickers. (courtesy of blog.epromos.com)

After 9/11, Americans were quick to show their solidarity and patriotism by proudly displaying American flags – on their cars, in their homes, along the sides of buildings, even on their clothing. Bumper stickers, mailboxes, and t-shirts proudly burst with red, white and blue. This “post-9/11 American flag bearing,” as some have called it, was a way for Americans to cope with the vast repercussions of the tragedy – condemning the terrorists who had taken so many lives while showing unrelenting support for our country and the many freedoms it provides. As an article from the Emory Report noted, “People waved the flag, wore it, and perhaps even made judgments about those who did not.”

However, the patriotic symbolism that surged in the weeks after the attacks started waning as the first anniversary of 9/11 approached, as an article in the St. Petersburg Times from September 10th, 2002 reported. Sales of American flags had decreased and blood donations had gone down; the small memorials that had been erected to commemorate those who died in the attack were removed and often ignored.

I’ve always been fascinated with this notion of “taking down the flag.” It’s true that in certain weather conditions flags displayed outside may become battered, posters boasting the stars and stripes fade and tear, bumper stickers begin to peel off with time and multiple car washes. But people also often tire of seeing the same decorative piece in their homes, automobiles, and closets day after day. Patriotism and solidarity wanes as that fateful day becomes a more distant memory.

The continual presence of Obama posters and bumper stickers reminded me of my fascination with this topic. As the election was decided a mere few weeks ago, Obama supporters are still proudly displaying banners calling for change and hope. The red and blue tinged photo of the president elect staring upward in the distance has become a popular cultural symbol, perhaps even recognizable to people all over the world.

However, it’s only a matter of time before people tire of their election stickers, posters, and t-shirts once again. When will people decide to take down their patriotic displays? Will they trickle down one by one? Or will everyone decide one day that this historic election is more of a memory than a recent experience, and the bumper stickers and blue and red face will be no more.

Though it’s inevitable, I think it’s a sad day when people take their posters down. Both the American flags of 9/11 and the campaign paraphernalia from this past election are symbols of our country’s patriotism and support for our new president. What does taking them down mean?