"Yes, if I see that flag I am scared," said Emmanuel Oppong, one of few Black residents of Hingham, and one of those who've been joining the call for the flags to be removed. "So I was upset that our publicly-owned taxpayer-paid vehicles flying a symbol that could make a lot of residents in this town uncomfortable." "The thin blue line has become a political symbol and a symbol of racism in my opinion," he told NPR. So when college student Max Giarrusso saw the flags flying in his hometown, he asked Hingham selectmen to take them down, saying it was not appropriate "for a public safety vehicle to don such a politically charged flag." And since it has also been adopted by the "Blue Lives Matter" movement, which launched in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, many believe it connotes opposition to the goals of ending police brutality and systemic racism. Because the flag has also been associated with white supremacist groups, some say it symbolizes a blatantly racist agenda. The flag, a black and white rendition of the American flag with a blue stripe running just under the stars, is meant to represent the men and women in blue standing as a line between law and order, proponents say, and it's been hung as show of police pride and solidarity.īut many others see it differently. Michael Chesna, on the second anniversary of his death. While firefighters have agreed, after more than a week, to comply with town orders to remove the flags hanging on firetrucks, they're now planning an even bolder display.įirefighters say they first hung "thin blue line" flags on two engines and a ladder truck to honor a fallen police officer, Sgt. Residents are planning rallies both for and against the flags, which some see as a proud tribute to police officers, and others denounce as a racist symbol. Critics say the flags carry racial overtones.Ĭontroversy sparked by "thin blue line" flags flying on town property in Hingham, Mass., continues to roil the small, coastal community, in the latest of many such flare-ups around the nation. A controversy has raged since firefighters hung "thin blue line" flags on fire trucks to honor a fallen officer. You can also give us a call at 1-88 or contact us online with any questions.Demonstrators clash this week at a rally outside the Hingham Police Department in Hingham, Mass. Additional American Flag ResourcesDid we mention we’re kind of experts on all things flag related? For questions about flag etiquette, check out these additional resources, or read the History of the Betsy Ross Flag to learn more about the origins of the American flag. The exact colors of the American flag are specified in the 10th edition of the Standard Color Reference of America – a textile color swatch book produced by the Color Association of the United States.Īs these are cloth color standards, there is no perfect way to convert them to RGB or CMYK for digital viewing and printing, however, the Department of State does specify the Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors, as well as the corresponding RGB and CMYK values, in its style guide. Department of State, the flag’s official colors are “Old Glory Red”, “Old Glory Blue” and basic “White”. Pure, because we are independent from other countries and hold true to our ideals.Īccording to the U.S. The color white stands for purity and innocence. A reminder that we must remain watchful and strong. The color blue signifies justice for all, as well as vigilance and perseverance. It is also sometimes said to represent the blood shed by those who have fought to protect our freedom and our country. The color red represents hardiness and valor, as well as courage and readiness to sacrifice. While the colors of the American Flag were likely inspired by our mother country’s flag, the Union Jack of England, they were also deliberately chosen to reflect the beliefs and values that our Founding Fathers deemed essential to building our nation. Seal of the same colors to Congress in the early 1780s. The significance behind the colors was not acknowledged when the American flag was adopted in 1777, however, the meaning was later explained by Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, when he presented the U.S. It is, of course, widely known that the 50 stars represent the 50 states of the Union and the 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies, however, the colors of the flag also hold important meaning. The flag of the United States, sometimes referred to as the American Flag, or lovingly as “Old Glory”, the “Stars and Stripes”, and the “Star Spangled Banner”, has stood as a symbol of freedom since 1777, and its design encompasses both our nation’s history and patriotic ideals. Red, White & Blue: American Flag Symbolism American States, Territories & Cities Flags
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |