One of the reasons I think most magicians shouldn’t do a “one off” show with special themed props is that if you don’t know about the prop and how to handle it, you can unintentionally be disrespectful. Yesterday was Independence Day in the USA, which is celebrated as the country’s birthday. In the USA, we have the US Flag Code, which defines what a flag is, how to hang it, and how to handle it. This is a law, but one that has no enforcement mechanism, so it’s basically etiquette.
Many performers slapped flags on their show for Independence Day and didn’t learn the basics of how a flag should be treated. I wrote this little facebook post:
PSA for “Patriotic” Performers
Many magicians and variety acts are posting pics of them doing magic with US Flags.
Please take a minute and read the US Flag Code. About 70% of the pics / video I’ve seen today are disrespectful to the US Flag.
Here’s a few quick pointers:
1: When displaying the flag (in most instances) the blue should in top left from the audience’s view
2: after producing the flag, do not crumple it up and toss it in your prop box. Respectfully fold up and place it whenever it belongs after the trick
3: Do not set things on top of the flag
4: A flag isn’t supposed to be clothes. (it may be too late for this)
5: do not use any “disposable” items with flags printed on them, like napkins or paper plates.
Don’t be a disrespectful to the US flag! A quick search for the “US Flag Code” will give you more in depth info, like if you want to learn more like how to properly display it on your car. Spoiler alert: 99% of pickup trucks with flags on them are in violation of the flag code.
I thought it was basically a pretty straight forward. If you’re going to honor something, learn it about it. Then I got this comment from Zach Dwyer:
I’m not sure what triggered him, being wrong or what, but he immediately jumped to calling me names, instead of admitting he was wrong, or even letting it go.
Yes, the flag code is unenforceable, there are no penalties for violating it, but it is, in fact, a law.
Should You Do Magic Tricks with Symbolic Props?
In a larger context with performing, why would you use a prop or theme you don’t understand the rules for?
For example: doing a gig for a mosque and using a picture of Mohammad?
That’s an example of a trick that there’s no law stopping you from doing; however, it would be considered disrespectful. It’s a basic courtesy to treat the symbol how it is supposed to be treated.
When I get offered a gig, let’s say for Purim, I don’t do a special show for them, or add in a Purim trick, I do my show. The reason is that I don’t know about it and don’t want to offend anyone.
Great examples of a themed shows are Jack Spareribs Pirate Show or Master Payne’s Ren Faire show.
I should add that I’m all for intentional acts of disrespect. When Sinead O’Connor tore up the picture of the Pope, that was an intentional act. Whether I agree with it or not, she was making a statement.
I’ve always said that if I die because of someone else, I want them to have wanted to kill me. I don’t want to be killed because someone didn’t look before they turned and ran me over, and my death was an accident. If someone kills me, I don’t want it to be a “whoops”; I’d like it to have some purpose to at least that person. Also, I should note that in a perfect world, I wouldn’t die because of someone else.
OK, so that’s a long post to say, if you use a prop that has symbolism, learn about how to respectfully handle it!
-Louie