Then & Now: Ten years later, a different view of the flag

A decade ago, on the Fourth of July, Brian Harris stood beside an American flag and spoke with hope about the future. This Independence Day weekend, with America marking its 250th anniversary, Humans of Galveston caught up with him again.

Q: More than 10 years have passed since that photo. When you look at America today, what's on your mind?

A: There's just a lot of division and a lot of distractions. Back then I don't think everything seemed as obvious to me. Now it feels like people don't even try to hide where they stand anymore. It's all out in the open, and sometimes it feels disrespectful. It makes you wonder where we're headed.

Q: Did you feel patriotic back then?

A: I did. Absolutely.

Q: And today?

A: Not the same. My perspective has changed. As I've gotten older and paid more attention, I've started seeing things differently. That changed how I feel about the country.

Q: Even with everything going on, what's bringing you hope these days?

A: My kids. My oldest earned a college scholarship. My youngest is in his 20s and doing good. It hasn't always been easy — there have been a lot of ups and downs — but my children give me something to keep fighting for every day.

Q: What do you hope they'll carry with them as they grow up?

A: I hope they see positive change. The world they're growing up in is different from the one I knew. Technology, society — everything moves so fast. You can teach your children what you know, but they're going to face challenges we never imagined.

Q: Are you optimistic about their future?

A: Most definitely. I know what I've poured into them. I see the results already. I truly believe they're going to be better than me, and that's what every parent should want. That's what gives me hope.

Sometimes the biggest changes aren't the ones we see in a country — they're the ones we see in ourselves. More than a decade separates these two photographs. The flag is the same. The man standing beside it has lived more life, asked harder questions and found his greatest hope not in politics, but in the next generation.

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