A group of unknown vandals destroyed a 9/11 memorial at Occidental College over the weekend, damaging nearly 3,000 American flags planted in memory of those who died during the attack on the World Trade Center in 2001.
While some are rebuking the action, there are others who have praised it because the flag is a “triggering … symbol of institutionalized violence (genocide, rape, slavery, colonialism, etc.) against people of color,” according to the Coalition Oxy for Diversity and Equity.
“As students of color, this symbol of the American flag is particularly triggering for many different reasons,” CODE members wrote in a Facebook post. “Historically, the American flag and subsequent American nationalist symbols have been polarizing and marginalizing to people of color living within the United States. This has been most recently exemplified in Colin Kaepernick’s protest of the American national anthem.”
The post continues, “When this institution allows thousands of American flags to be placed in the center of campus it speaks volumes to the students that have lived their lives under the oppression of this flag.”
In addition the destroying the 9/11 memorial display, the unknown group also posted fliers that the Occidental College Republican Club, which is responsible for the display, said “shamed the victims of 9/11,” according to The Los Angeles Times. – READ MORE