@juniperfish I understand your reservations. I have them myself. While flag waving can seem nationalistic, I had hoped to show solidarity to all people of France, whatever their beliefs – be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu, Atheist etc. etc. There was not one religion attacked on Friday night. It was indiscriminate.
I can’t do much to create change, but I can make little statements using this site occasionally (like trying to raise money for refugees). I had kinda hoped that having the Doctor – a very British institution and also a symbol of universal love, hope and understanding – over the French flag would show worldwide solidarity for those devastated by the murderous events on Friday.
The English, I find, are peculiar about the meaning of a flag. More than most. I have no problem wearing my Saltire cufflinks because I am proud to be from Scotland and love the country and its people, wherever they originally came from. I was just in Arizona and saw many Stars and Stripes fluttering in the wind outside homes and businesses. But wave a St. George’s Cross around in England and people think you’re a member of the EDL or BNP.
So I understand your point, and the message is definitely not “us and them”, but I think that may be an English perspective of solidarity-by-flag. It’s not mine.
