XIII - Collective Action
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Summary
In Lake Wobegon Days Garrison Keillor describes Flag Day in his mythical town. Herman, the organizer of the parade, bought a quantity of blue, red and white caps and distributed them to the townspeople so that they could march through the streets as a Living Flag, while he stood on the roof of the Central Building to take a photograph. Right after the war, people were happy to comply, but later they had second thoughts:
One cause of resentment was the fact that none of them got to see the Flag they were in; the picture in the paper was black and white. Only Herman and Mr. Hanson got to see the real Flag, and some boys too short to be needed down below. People wanted a chance to go up to the roof and witness the spectacle for themselves.
“How can you go up there if you're supposed to be down here?” Herman said. “You go up there to look, you got nothing to look at. Isn't it enough to know that you're doing your part?”
On Flag Day, 1949, just as Herman said, “That's it! Hold it now!” one of the reds made a break for it – dashed up four flights of stairs to the roof and leaned over and had a long look. Even with the hole he left behind, it was a magnificent sight. The Living Flag filled the street below. A perfect Flag! The reds so brilliant! He couldn't take his eyes off it. […]
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- Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences , pp. 124 - 134Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1989