Interview transcript

“I” = interviewer. “P” = participant. “PC” = the participant’s companion.

I           Can you tell me about your flag?

P          Yeah, I bought it mail order . . . I have a flag in my living room, it’s off a grave, but it’s upside down.

I           And . . .

P                       . . . and then right below it I have a Republican with a Swastika. I like that.

I           And can you tell me what kinds of things you were thinking about when you bought your flag online?

P          I was thinkin’ about, uh . . . how much I . . . I’m a Viet Nam veteran . . . and then I didn’t . . . I came home from the war with a whole different idea. I joined Viet Nam Vets against the war, Pittsburgh Chapter and. I’ve never . . . I think I’m a patriot but I don’t like the government and I relate to the government [unintelligible]

I           And, do you think it sends a particular message?

P          Well this says “peace”. And when somebody else waves it, they might be wavin’ it for any reason, you know that.

I           And how do you think this flag communicates that message?

P          Well, I think it says “peace.”

I           OK, so I have three little demographic questions to finish up with. Number one is are you willing to share with me your age?

P          I’m a, born . . .

PC                    . . . 27 . . .

P                                   . . . Well, I’m uh 67.

I           OK, uh, number 2, uh, you I think you already said you were a Viet Nam vet, is that correct?

P          Yeah

I           And then number 3, where would you identify yourself as lying on the political spectrum?

P          Well, I’m registered democrat only because I like to vote in the primaries and where I live in New York, I usually, I’ll vote for the pot party or any of that shit.

I           Excellent. Thank you so much for your time . . .

• Interview details

  Protest at fountain on Cleveland Mall, Republican Nat'l Convention, 18 July 2016. Cleveland, OH. Interview and photos by Brian Larson.