San Diego (CNN) -- Every few years, I reassess how I feel about Mexican-Americans who wave Mexican flags. Much of it has to do with who is doing the waving and under what circumstances. In 2006, I wrote a column saying it was a bad idea for immigration reform advocates to wave Mexican flags as they marched through U.S. cities such as Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. It's illogical to show your allegiance to one country while demanding accommodation from another. But in 2007, I penned another column after attending a Luis Miguel concert in Las Vegas where fans of the Mexican singer unfurled Mexican flags. Nothing wrong with that, I concluded.
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Leo Manzano waved both U.S. and Mexico flags after winning in the Olympics
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Ruben Navarrette: It was not a good idea for Manzano to carry two flags
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He says Manzano should have been clear about which country he represented
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Navarrette: By putting on the jersey for Team USA, it's clear what his choice was
Olympics
Now, thanks to U.S. @placeholder medalist Leo Manzano, and what I consider to be the misguided and ill-mannered way he chose to celebrate his silver medal in the 1500-meters final, I get the chance to think through the subject of flag-waving once again.
Leo Manzano
Manzano
Manzano
You can't help but be proud of @placeholder and the country that allowed him the opportunity to fulfill his potential.
U.S.
U.S.
As the world looked on, he held up both the @placeholder flag and the Mexican flag.
Mexican-Americans
I realize that, for many of my fellow @placeholder, the image of Manzano waving two flags is no big thing.
Leo Manzano
Manzano
Manzano
I realize that, for many of my fellow Mexican-Americans, the image of @placeholder waving two flags is no big thing.
Mexican
Mexican
Mexican
Mexican
Mexico
Many Mexicans who came to the United States -- particularly those who came as professionals or became professionals once they got here -- look to @placeholder with a mixture of affection and guilt.
Mexican
Mexican
Mexican
Mexican
Mexico
In fact, I can't remember the last time someone accused me of not being proud of being @placeholder or Mexican-American.
Mexican-Americans
In fact, I can't remember the last time someone accused me of not being proud of being Mexican or @placeholder.
Mexican-Americans
And in the past 20 years, I've written hundreds of thousands of words in defense of Mexicans and @placeholder.
U.S.
U.S.
It wasn't unlike the choice your parents made when they chose the @placeholder over Mexico a quarter century ago.