The Thin Blue Line

The Thin Blue Line flag is a controversial symbol that has been widely used by law enforcement supporters and opponents of the Black Lives Matter movement. The flag features a black-and-white American flag with a blue stripe in the center, representing the police officers who stand between order and chaos. However, critics argue that the flag is a sign of white supremacy, racism, and disregard for the lives of people of color who have been killed or harmed by police brutality. I will explain here why I feel that the Thin Blue Line flag should not be displayed at public buildings, such as jails, courthouses, or government offices.

First, displaying the Thin Blue Line flag at public buildings sends a message that the police are above the law and that they can act with impunity. The flag implies that the police are always right and that anyone who questions or challenges them is wrong or even dangerous. This undermines the principles of accountability, transparency, and justice that are essential for a democratic society. Public buildings should be places where all citizens feel welcome and respected, not where they feel intimidated or threatened by a symbol of authoritarianism.

Second, displaying the Thin Blue Line flag at public buildings alienates and offends many members of the community, especially those who have experienced or witnessed police violence or discrimination. The flag shows a lack of empathy and compassion for the victims and families of police brutality, who are often Black, Indigenous, or people of color. The flag also ignores the historical and systemic racism that pervades the criminal justice system and that disproportionately affects marginalized groups. Public buildings should be places where diversity and inclusion are celebrated and promoted, not where they are denied or dismissed by a symbol of oppression.

Third, displaying the Thin Blue Line flag at public buildings contradicts the original meaning and purpose of the American flag, which is supposed to represent the values and ideals of the nation as a whole. The flag is a symbol of unity, freedom, and democracy, not of division, exclusion, and tyranny. By altering the colors and design of the flag, the Thin Blue Line flag violates the U.S. Flag Code, which states that "the flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." Public buildings should be places where patriotism and respect for the flag are demonstrated and encouraged, not where they are distorted or defaced by a symbol of separatism.

Some critics also argue that the flag fails to recognize the role of the community in public safety and the importance of community-police relations. Moreover, the flag was associated with white supremacists and anti-government extremists, who flew it alongside Confederate flags at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. The flag has also become a source of controversy and criticism, as some people view it as a sign of opposition to the racial justice movement and a symbol of white supremacy or support for the Blue Lives Matter cause.

In response to these criticisms, some law enforcement agencies have banned or discouraged the use of the thin blue line flag on their property or personnel. For example, in 2019, the San Francisco Police Department prohibited its officers from wearing face masks with the thin blue line flag during protests, saying that it could be perceived as "endorsing a political agenda". In 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a similar directive, stating that "the image is divisive and may be interpreted by some members of our community as being unsympathetic to recent events".

While some view the thin blue line as a respectful tribute to law enforcement and a way to express professional pride, others see it as a disrespectful distortion of the American flag and a way to express political views that are hostile to social change. The debate over the meaning and appropriateness of the flag reflects the larger tensions and conflicts that exist between police and society in the United States.

In conclusion, the Thin Blue Line flag is a divisive and harmful symbol that does not belong at public buildings. The flag erodes public trust and confidence in the police and the justice system. It also creates a hostile and unwelcoming environment for many people who live in or visit the community. It also dishonors and disrespects the American flag and what it stands for. Therefore, I feel we should remove the Thin Blue Line flag from their premises and to replace it with symbols that reflect the true spirit and values of our country.

Most recently our own Board of Supervisors has put forth what is construed by many as wastes of taxpayer dollars to further a hateful, and divisive agenda such as the renaming of Yokut’s Valley from the racist term Squaw Valley by the Federal Government, the opposition to Avenida de la Cesar Chavez, the anti-pride flag on County of Fresno properties initiative, and the display of a Canadian Flag in front of a Board Member during a scheduled and televised regular Board of Supervisors Meeting.

Over the past 5 years I have commuted via bicycle and e-scooter down L street as the new west jail was being constructed. I have observed vehicles that are owned by corrections officers and construction workers who have not paid for parking on a regular basis. Many of these vehicles had the thin blue line flag displayed on them alongside other controversial symbols and and have acted with impunity to paying for parking for years.  

I was happy to observe that immediately after I had a conversation with a corrections officer about my concerns, he moved his truck to a marked space. Since that time they have been parking legally and one of the trucks actually removed his thin blue line sticker. There is only one left on that street that is in plain view of the back door of the new jail; but at least he is parking legally now.