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Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study

Publication ,  Journal Article
Estrada, E; Vera-Phillips, K; Flores-Gonzalez, N; Romanello, B; Pasco, MC; Roque, AD
Published in: American Behavioral Scientist
January 1, 2024

Based on photovoice and interview data from 144 Arizona young adults collected as part of the Arizona Youth Identity Project, this article builds on the concept of collective effervescence and symbolic violence through an analysis of U.S. flag images submitted by our respondents during the 2020 presidential election. Drawing on the literature on identity, belonging, and national symbols, this article highlights three main themes. First, our data revealed the conflicted feelings of belonging and exclusion that the U.S. flag evoked in these young adults. According to some participants, the flag became a divisive symbol as it became associated with the Make America Great Again movement. Second, we highlight how the U.S. flag came to embody a form of symbolic violence, particularly after the attack on the Capitol on January 6. Finally, we show how the meaning attached to the U.S. flag is situational and fluid, and how its value as a unifying national symbol can be restored. This narrative was supported by young adults’ images of the flag with artistic modifications that reflected elements of their culture and history.

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Published In

American Behavioral Scientist

DOI

EISSN

1552-3381

ISSN

0002-7642

Publication Date

January 1, 2024

Related Subject Headings

  • General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5202 Biological psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology
 

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Estrada, E., Vera-Phillips, K., Flores-Gonzalez, N., Romanello, B., Pasco, M. C., & Roque, A. D. (2024). Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study. American Behavioral Scientist. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642241284267
Estrada, E., K. Vera-Phillips, N. Flores-Gonzalez, B. Romanello, M. C. Pasco, and A. D. Roque. “Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study.” American Behavioral Scientist, January 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1177/00027642241284267.
Estrada E, Vera-Phillips K, Flores-Gonzalez N, Romanello B, Pasco MC, Roque AD. Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study. American Behavioral Scientist. 2024 Jan 1;
Estrada, E., et al. “Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study.” American Behavioral Scientist, Jan. 2024. Scopus, doi:10.1177/00027642241284267.
Estrada E, Vera-Phillips K, Flores-Gonzalez N, Romanello B, Pasco MC, Roque AD. Symbolic Appropriation of the U.S. Flag: Findings from a Photovoice Study. American Behavioral Scientist. 2024 Jan 1;
Journal cover image

Published In

American Behavioral Scientist

DOI

EISSN

1552-3381

ISSN

0002-7642

Publication Date

January 1, 2024

Related Subject Headings

  • General Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
  • 5204 Cognitive and computational psychology
  • 5203 Clinical and health psychology
  • 5202 Biological psychology
  • 1702 Cognitive Sciences
  • 1701 Psychology