Nationalism and Jewelry

enamel version of a flag on heart charm circa 1940

vintage 1980's flag with stars puffy heart charm - warning - this has been repro'd often.

My enthusiasm for politics died along with the young president I watched buried when I was five – the safe world I had taken for granted changed forever. I marched and sat in for civil rights and peace through college, and voted by absentee ballots the 20 years I spent on the road, touring the country with shows. But to be honest I viewed other countries with longing, my time in Canada, and England precious – given the chance I’d have emigrated in a heartbeat. Every new experience was a treat, Mexico, France, Taiwan – but I stayed low and tried to fit in, I never stood up proudly as an American and frankly viewed those who did as arrogant tourists.

I didn’t put out a flag on the 4th of July, and as for a flag pin, so hotly debated in the last election – snort! In the past 10 years I’ve been actively ashamed of my country, every day seemed to bring exposure of more and more appalling actions, rights ignored, crimes committed by those in charge.

That all changed in November 2008 as I watched with intense pride as our country elected a president based on his brain not his skin. Last night I watched a concert so deeply nationalistic it might have occurred during one of the World Wars. Tomorrow we swear in a President who trusts us enough to tell us the truth even when it is unpleasant – we must change the way we live – for the good of the country, the good of the world, the hope of a better future – indeed any future at all. We as a nation worked together and had the courage to make that happen. I am deeply proud to be an American today.

So now I need a flag charm, here are two options – do you have ones you’d like to show?

When we have times of intense National feeling we have come up with wonderful charms – the Walter Lampl Bundles for Britain – the sweetheart jewelry from the World Wars, the Touch Wud Fums Up sent to soldiers overseas. We wear our hearts on our sleeves (or wrists) and proclaim in non verbal shouts (or jingles) our politics. The Obama hope pin is one of the top selling items online – I soo wish they had a charm!

So here is a toast to a bright future, and patina flag charms. I may have to do an all America bracelet – how many of you have them already? Send pictures!