Is the Flag that Waves, the Flag that was?

   Just as Francis Scott Key looked anxiously to see if the flag was still flying at Ft. McHenry that day that inspired his writing the "Star Spangled Banner," so we might look today, wondering if it yet flutters in the breeze.
   Or, has it fallen?
   I think of those years, from 1861 to 1865, when our flag flew proudly, anchored in the sky, as one of the most costly wars in terms of human life tore our nation up. The Stars and the Stripes waved proudly then, representing freedom for all. Old Glory made a wonderful statement then, vowing that all were equal, though so much blood was spilling to make it so.
   Does this flag still fly? Is this the flag that still waves? Does it still represent what it did back in those years of fighting for African-American freedom? When it waves, is it still saying, liberty and justice for all? Does it yet vow that all are created equal, regardless who they are or where they come from?
  Or, do we need to put that flag up again?
   I will only say this: What our flag represents is largely determined by whether we're still fighting for the principles it stood for back in those years. When there are injustices, do we say they are just, and therefore we will not fight against them? Have we put down our flag?
   Perhaps, when we say blacks are treated equal -- when we suggest they are just whining when there really is nothing to whine about --  we are giving up on fighting for justice for all, we are letting our flag slip and fall to the ground.
  And, we should pick it back up. We should return it to its stand, where, as each gust of wind hits, it once again snaps back, as if to shout, "Liberty and justice for all who reach these shores."