An exhibition titled 'America Will Be!' opened at the University of Maryland's David C. Driskell Center, exploring how Black artists have reinterpreted the US flag. However, the show opened without a key work by artist Dread Scott, 'What is the Proper Way to Display a US Flag? (1988)', after the loan request was rescinded by the curators citing logistical and safety concerns.
The omission highlights ongoing tensions around artistic freedom, censorship, and institutional risk-aversion. Scott argues the decision constitutes 'anticipatory censorship,' recalling the work's history of controversy and protests when first shown. The incident raises questions about the ability of academic institutions to support politically challenging art, especially in a polarized climate, and underscores the persistent power of the flag as a contested symbol in American art and identity.