In Defense of New Flags
By Mason Paul, 8th Grade
THE WONDROUS VEXILLOLOGICAL RENAISSANCE - HOW MODERNITY MEETS TRADITION IN THE FLAGS OF THE MODERN WORLD.
Flags. We love and use them on an everyday basis. They are a representation of a group of people or a region's culture. Many people all over the world are extremely proud and patriotic of the symbol that represents them. Flags have historical significance to the citizens and residents of the townships, cities, counties, states, territories, political groups, cultural groups and countries. As you can see, they are pretty important. Of course, cultures change and evolve over time. So their symbols and meanings would change over time. Sometimes, flags just are indistinguishable from others. So new flags should be a welcome change, but some people just can't get behind them.
The logic of new flag haters does have some merits. It is important for people to honor their roots. However, there is a difference between honoring tradition and clutching onto meaningless symbols of the past. For example, critics of the new flags point to NAVA - the North American Vexillological Association - as the root of all evil, a corrupt organization that grows like a parasite and extends its fleshy tentacles of modern flags until all the world is blinded by a veil of modernity. Seems extreme, doesn't it? Let's hear about the real NAVA.
One of NAVA's main complaints is that a lot of flags are too similar. Take the US state flags, for example. There is an enormous amount which are simply seals stamped on a dark blue field. Look up "US state flags" and tell me otherwise. Another problem is that they are really complicated. Most flags hang and are seen from a distance, so if their only distinguishing features are text or complicated seals, it can be hard to make out the flag. These are just a few examples, but it is clear to see that these guidelines for a good flag that represent a group of people effectively are more than just "basic opinions of random nobodies".
The publication of "Good Flag, Bad Flag" was considered the start of an era. Despite what some may say, this date was the beginning of a renaissance, not a dark age. We've established that flags are important, so would a dark age mean empowered individuals rising up and representing their people's culture in such a culturally important way? I think not.
The movement began at the grassroots: cities and towns chose flags that effectively represented their people. Places like Pocatello, Idaho are a good example. The flag of Pocatello represents the nearby mountains in a distinct and memorable flag that embodies the people. That was in 2017, but in 2019, the renaissance arrived in West Chester, with a flag that represents the roads that connect the people of West Chester.
Over time, the movement spread. States themselves began to embrace the new movement and improve their flags from a sea of seals on blue to unique designs that inspire state pride. That's the goal of these flags: to become symbols of communities. As new flags wave across the nation, do not feel hatred, but pride in the fact that citizens are choosing to represent their communities with new flags that represent them.