A US flag is not a sign of a similar nature to one that supports a particular philosophy, issue, or group of people, since it simply represents the USA. So it is neutral by definition within the USA.
What disturbs me about your writing and the BU president’s comments in the linked article is that you both never acknowledge that the flag in question is a “Progress Pride” flag rather than the Pride flag as originally designed by Gilbert Baker.
A US flag is not a sign of a similar nature to one that supports a particular philosophy, issue, or group of people, since it simply represents the USA. So it is neutral by definition within the USA.
What disturbs me about your writing and the BU president’s comments in the linked article is that you both never acknowledge that the flag in question is a “Progress Pride” flag rather than the Pride flag as originally designed by Gilbert Baker.
Flier and Pinker are right. Institutional neutrality is hugely important, and outsize, intrusive advertising is not free speech.
As for the "critical studies" departments and friends, the lawyers have a phrase "the author of his own misfortune".