October 14, 2026
Finding the Flag
By Quinn Dwyer
By Brianna Sylvain
Every neighborhood is shaped by the familiar fixtures and sights that its residents encounter regularly. Their steady presence may fade into the background but always provide a sense of reassurance and comfort. Think about the bus stops, murals done by local artists, and fruit stands with your neighborhood; all things that seem mundane yet have the capability to change the trajectory of your day. For me, the American flag is something that I see constantly throughout my neighborhood, Mill Basin, regardless of political climate, time of year, and purpose of the establishment. This was something I initially dismissed and, to a degree, wasn’t conscious of but as my experience with the American flag changed, so has my perception of it. In this photo essay, I will explore what the omnipresence of the American flag in my neighborhood has taught me about its multiplicity of meanings and purposes.
An MTA B47 bus departing a local stop.
The awning of a local store.
A bar where the American flag is beside an Irish one.
A gym decorated with patriotic streamers and a flag.
Houses beside each other with flags.
Flags on several posts in front a church.
Flags on post at Veterans Avenue & East 65th Street.
Flag in backyard of house.
