The View host Sunny Hostin says that she feels unsafe in neighborhoods that fly the American flag. It's not the first time that the TV personality said this. She first described her discomfort in 2021. But given the 250th anniversary of America, Hostin brought back up her discomfort.
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"The View" co-host Sunny Hostin repeated her assertion from 2021 that she feels uncomfortable or unsafe while visiting neighborhoods where homes are flying the American flag.
"I said this on this show many, many years ago, because this is my tenth year on the show," Hostin recalled. "I said there are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community, and I suddenly feel unsafe because there's a section of this country that has co-opted the American flag, and they equate being an American or an American flag with White supremacy and that should never be the symbol of White supremacy, but they have weaponized."
Sunny Hostin Talks American Flags
This kick-started a discussion about the American flag. Guest host Michelle Buteau argued that the country needs to do better and questioned the celebrations.
"When you say it's the best nation. The best nation for who? Because if we are celebrating 250 years, what are we exactly celebrating, is what I want to know," Buteau said. "So I'm really glad that picture was taken, because that picture is how we feel walking into many rooms, down the street. That picture is how we feel and nobody will believe us. So look at that picture and understand how it feels."
Previously, Hostin said that the American flag makes Black Americans feel uncomfortable. This was back in 2021.
"When someone of color, a Black woman, is telling you her feelings, people need to listen. And not, you know, repudiate it and not say, 'Well, that can't be true,'" Hostin had said at the time. "When I drive into a neighborhood, and it's not July 4th. And I'm not in a predominantly military household neighborhood. And there are flags, American flags, everywhere, alongside Trump flags, alongside flags with stars in a circle, I feel threatened."
"Because the message is very clear," she continued. "It's a message of White supremacy. It's a message of racism, and it's a message of their country, not my country. I don't understand why that would receive backlash. People need to listen when I am saying this is how I feel. This is my experience in this country."
