I graduated from Gallaudet University and purchased my first house in 2001. It was a 750 square foot, 100 year-old-row house in the Trinidad Neighborhood of Washington DC. It was a pretty run down house but at 23 years old, I made it my own, I ended up painting the interior of the house forest green with black trim I also proudly displayed the Gadsden flag (purchased from Alamo Flag in Union Station) in my living room.

While many in the Tea Party movement have adopted the Gadsden flag as a symbol of their movement. I was however, ashamed at the ignorance of my fellow man when I read an article about a man whose homeowners association was trying to get him to take down his flag. It didn't bother me they were trying to take it down, (I'm no fan of homeowner associations, because when you purchase a property you agree to give away your liberty when you buy a house). My problem was with the letter the homeowners association sent the man, the letter stated "Tea Party flags are not permitted, Please Remove."

I have a particular affinity towards this flag ever since I learned about it in elementary school. So, I wanted to write an article about the history of this flag.

The Gadsden flag is a historical flag of the United States. It usually reflects a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow flag with the term "Don't Tread On Me" below it. There are some other variations with "Join or Die" and the snake can have different poses. There is also a flag called the Navy Jack which was inspired by the Gadsden flag that features an uncoiled snake with the "Don't Tread On Me" motto.

It is named after Christopher Gadsden who designed the flag. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress as well as a General in the Continental Army. He designed the flag and presented it to the commander-in-chief of the Navy Esek Hopkins as his personal standard.

The rattlesnake on the flag was most likely inspired by Benjamin Franklin after publishing his "Join or Die" cartoon which urged the original 13 colonies to join together to survive as a single nation. Benjamin Franklin was a strong advocate of the Timber Rattlesnake to serve as the symbol of the new nation. Referencing in an essay Franklin said, "She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage." and that "she never wounds till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her."

I for one thought this was a great parallel to what our nations foreign policy should be. In which we will not attack anyone else without being provoked and if we are provoked we should destroy those who have done so.

As an interesting side note, Ben Franklin stated that "I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him."

This article by far is not an all encompassing history on the Gadsen Flag by far, but I hope it's enough to spark an interest in readers to do a little more research on this flag. Hopefully, we will refrain from miss allocating it as simply a "Tea Party flag", when it is truly an important flag of the United States and should be revered by all regardless of their current political standing.

The statement made by the homeowners association represents what is wrong with our country. Instead of researching our political views, candidates and issues; we instead, make knee-jerk responses based on what the media or your next door neighbor tells you to believe. Ignorance isn't bliss if we lose our Republic because of it.

Wake up.