Catherine from the Community Bookstore sent this my way (for which I am grateful). She describes David Mahfoud, the creator of this gigantic American flag, as “Bookstore family” and someone I would probably want to know about. She’s right.

Two years ago I started making a large American Flag. The process of making it has been convoluted, and keeping and bearing it has been difficult and consuming – most difficult though, has been saying what the flag means and why it was made.

I have muttered and muddled a host of explanations over the past two years, some of which were nearly accurate: this is the flag of the American Left; it was to be hung from the Brooklyn Bridge to force the Authority to apprehend itself; it is for this, for playing in; America is a good idea.

The truth, or what is nearer the truth, is simpler.

I made the large flag because I wanted, or needed, an object – some material place – to which I could affix hope.

Usually when we think about hope, we think about a distant situation – something to move towards. But hope is near – it acts on our present – our immediate posture. In hoping, we orient ourselves – we make our first slight movement towards realization.

Please come to Mending Bee for Change – an event made to generate, collect, and focus hope – a fundraiser for the Barack Obama campaign for America. It is clear to me that Barack is not a perfect candidate, and it is for this reason that now, this month, I urge you to join me in hoping with him and for his presidency.

Meet us in Union Square this Friday night at 8pm, where we’ll be holding the large American Flag, and talking to people about Barack Obama and America. At 8:30 we’ll depart with the flag, and make a small parade towards Brooklyn Bridge Park, where we’ll use the flag as a venue for a benefit concert.

Then, after a good night’s sleep, meet us on Saturday October 11th in Prospect Park between noon and dusk. We’ll be mending the large American flag, collecting donations for Obama’s campaign, and commitments to phone bank and visit swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio

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The Where and When

Friday, October 10 at 8 p.m.
Union Square
There will be a parade with the flag to Brooklyn Bridge Park

Saturday October 11
Between noon and dusk
Prospect Park (he’s not specific where)