Sunny Hostin, co-host of the daytime talk show "The View," reiterated her earlier remarks that she feels "unsafe" in neighborhoods displaying numerous American flags. During a recent appearance on the "Behind the Table" podcast, Hostin told executive producer Brian Teta, "I stand by that."

Hostin explained that this sentiment is not new within the Black community. She recounted a personal experience visiting White friends at a beach house in North Carolina, where she felt "nervous" upon seeing a Confederate flag. She said, "And I scurried back to the house and I said to the hosts, 'Do you know that there's a Confederate flag out there? You know, it didn't feel great.' And they had seen the flag for years, but it didn't have the same effect on them as it would have on me."

Reflecting on America's 250th anniversary celebrations, Hostin recalled a 2021 episode of "The View" where she expressed discomfort in communities with many American flags. She stated, "I said there are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community and I suddenly feel unsafe because there’s a section of this country that has co-opted the American flag, and they equate being an American or an American flag with White supremacy and that should never be the symbol of White supremacy, but they have weaponized."

Hostin also defended MSNBC analyst Mara Gay's 2021 admission of feeling "disturbed" by American flags, Trump flags, and signs critical of then-President Joe Biden in Long Island, New York, noting that some Black Americans share similar feelings.

The discussion comes amid broader conversations about symbolism, race, and national identity in the United States.

Sources