How art can shape America's conversation about freedom | Dread Scott

In this quick talk, visual artist Dread Scott tells the story of one of his most transgressive art installations, which drew national attention for its controversial use of the American flag and led to a landmark First Amendment case in the US Supreme Court.
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[@EvaAnika]

I love this. Artists are so necessary. They actually show members of a society who they are through the eyes of others, since it is difficult to see clearly when you are locked inside a bubble. Interesting how some of the more feeble comments here deal with his appearance or his voice but don't outline where he is actually wrong in his perspective.

[@allenmarkham]

As far as this is about respect of the US flag, I say this. I do not like the message, but will defend his right to express it; and I have done so as an officer in the US Army and continue to do so as an atheist citizen today.

[@Ken-tc3nq]

Yea brother, well I dont think he's very appreciative of that. Then again it doesn't matter much to us. Sgt, USMC

[@mhtinla]

Colin K has the right to protest the anthem. NFL has the right not to employ him. Nike has the right to hire him in commercial. Americans have the right to boycott Nike. It's alright.

[@Ken-tc3nq]

@@mhtinla Yes, they do. Thumbs-up. But another thumbs-up for the folks that do the work to make that possible... the vets.

[@leiannesw4926]

@@Ken-tc3nq & Allen Markham Thank you both for your service!. Much appreciated! God Bless!

[@MudiTube]

Am I the only one? Or is it that the Ted intro is so dope!!!

[@illipinobruh]

Artists are revolutionary.

[@daisy_elle_]

never understood the obsession with the American flag

[@MajkaSrajka]

IKR? How can you hate it so much.

[@nyhyl]

@@MajkaSrajka Or love it so much.

[@MajkaSrajka]

+TS American flag is the symbol of their country. Somehow, now we have people that spit at flag, and tell that it is vile symbol, but without balls to say it about their country.

[@Rickbearcat]

Then you failed history class.

[@andrewsork4897]

I imagine the flag that made it to the moon, the flag that came to help the allies storming the beaches of Normandy, and I imagine the flag that was raised on Iwo Jima. There is an emotional connection to the flag Americans have, and even non Americans can have that emotion. It's not fascist just to be nationalistic. It's something like having pride in your country, and your countrymen. And I have pride for my countrymen even if they personally don't like the flag. That's a part of the freedom of America here. It's not like other countries where they actually make their flags fire retardant so you can't burn them (yes certain countries do this) but instead we have heavily culturally induced traditions around our flag. I dont see anything wrong with it as long as people respect your freedom to disagree.

[@zardrevos]

I would write: " A Flag should stay at eye level. Never so high that makes us look up as if we are inferior, or lower at ground that makes us look down as if we are superior. I would treat the Flag same as my bhrother and sisters, as an equal being."

[@mapokinnord9488]

Respect should be for people over objects or even ideas. We may not "get" each other but respect anyway... we will be better for it and the world will too eventually.

[@sherrydee7880]

The day I refused to salute the flag in school was the day I learned what personal freedom was all about.

[@권민정-w6b]

When I saw that the work of one visual designer led to protests by various people in many countries, I realized how important a small piece of paper, just an American flag, was to the world. However, I think people are overreacting to the idea that a person's life could be threatened by one such work.

[@halfword]

This is something I learned in school

[@gammalight1312]

He's a passive aggressive victimized narcissist with poor taste. An awful TED Talk.

[@shway1]

It may come off as a little passive aggressive because he's presenting an issue that is very controversial (for some reason) in as objective and matter-of-fact way as possible.

[@J3nnyp4nny]

It just sounds like you're ignorant

[@eemelilounela1212]

I watched the ENTIRE video! Anyone else?

[@SaucerJess]

💙

[@AnitaSperoDesign]

Interesting.

[@Zahlenteufel1]

"Later, President Bush called the work disgraceful which I viewed as a tremendous honor." You should. Nice talk.

[@ParacordTank]

I like his hair

[@NaviRwt]

Ted videos ❤️ iam from india❤️🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@mxferro]

Finding solution as to how to go forward with productive thinking would be better then outright attack on patriotism without showing them a better alternative.

[@J3nnyp4nny]

American patronize is the problem and the exact reason he did this. There was no "attack". Americans have a very sad and sick obsession with a country that treats its own citizens like crap. Stop living in a bubble and realize it's people's first amendment right to have conversations and address issues

[@0ozymandias641]

Partly what I don't get is why people keep picking on Veterans using the flag. Of course they're gonna be upset when you disgrace the flag in such a way. To a normal person, like me, the flag is just a piece of cloth. A symbol yes but it holds barely any meaning anymore. To the veteran however it's a symbol and a thanks for their sacrifices, the daughters, the sons, the mothers, the father's who gave so much to protect or serve the US , then the flag the represents them is tread on and disrespected, they're disrespected. It isn't the flag, it's what it symbolises.

[@MajuE51]

I see to much innocent people blood on American flag and to there currency

[@steven_duller3841]

Abdllah Shah do you also see the blood of the innocent on literally every other flag across the world? if not you're blind and being led by propagandists. literally every nation formed was fought over and undoubtedly involved the murder of innocent people while it's land was disputed. The young age of America is why it stings so much and the voices of the deceitful is why there is a microscope on our origin.

[@basilabraham890]

#TED fans like here