Impact On The John Birch Society

The John Birch society has almost entirely faded from the American mind. Wrapped in the Flag, however, brings to light past issues that are once again becoming more prominent in American society. The actions of the John Birch Society members in the mid-1900s brought forth a period of societal upheaval and some of the most radical right-wing movements ever seen in United States history. Issues such as civil rights, abortion, gay rights, and environmental protection were at the core of the societies ideologies that dominated during this period. The author offers first-hand accounts and insight into this time in history through a collection of records, personal files, historical archives and first-hand accounts. Through the eyes of Claire Connor,
Written as both a memoir and warning Claire notes that the John Birch Society never went away but is sleeping, waiting for the right conditions to reemerge yet again. Conditions that in present day are becoming prominent as ideas central to the society are reemerging with people standing behind these ideas stating “We’ve come to take our country back.” “As a child, I believed everything my father said, and I trusted everything my father did (5).” So begins the story of Claire Connor, a girl growing up under the influence of members of the John Birch Society. From a young age, anti-communist ideas were prominent in her household however the story truly begins when Claire is thirteen. Her father assumes a leadership position within the society, and she becomes a full adult member. During her high school years, Claire’s perception of the world begins to change influenced by her reading of the novel Black Like Me. After her parents discover an essay composed applauding JFK and his efforts in fighting poverty, Claire is physically beaten and told “you are not fit to be our daughter
From early on, Claire was expected to espouse the Birch ideas in all aspects of her life, and her parents enforced this almost to the point of physical abuse. Claire’s beating after her essay on JFK was discovered is just one example of the physical abuse endured. Even as a grown woman, the violence continued. Her mother's final words were “I'm not sure I do (218)” in response to being told to tell her daughter that she loved her. Both examples and numerous others throughout the novel exemplify these themes and give the reader insight as to why Connor is so critical when it concerns the John Birch