Flags

Robert Tulip · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject: Flags

Flags

I’ve noticed that Booktalk uses the flag of the European Union for everyone from Europe. It seems the old national flags have been superseded by this regional identity. What ever happened to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Fifth Republic of France?

Meanwhile Australia flies the Union Jack, the British Ensign, against an ocean blue background with the Southern Cross and federal seven point star. I like the Australian flag, but seeing it on the Booktalk site prompts a question. Would it be possible for those from Australia to have two flags, with the Aboriginal flag alongside the Australian flag? Information on the Aboriginal flag is at http://www.ausflag.com.au/flags/ab.html . It is recognised as a flag of Australia.

I like to think of flags in terms of mythic resonance. Flags are designed to represent the identity of a people. Identity is about the narratives which give accepted common meaning. In Australia’s case, having the UK flag and southern stars on a sea blue ground indicates an identity framed in terms of British colonialism, with the flag portraying the federal connection to monarchy across the ocean and under different skies. The Union Jack symbolises sources of Australian identity in England, Scotland and Wales, with the three joined flags of Saints George, Andrew and David, but it leaves out the Australian indigenous people as well as those from elsewhere.

I like the Aboriginal flag because it emerges from the ancient spiritual connection to land of the original indigenous owners of Australia. It also shows the sun as the source of life. By contrast, the existing Australian flag has no connection to earth at all, except through its symbol of the unity and oceanic travels of the peoples at the source of the colonial enterprise.

President Camacho · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:24 pm Post subject:

I didn't know aboriginals had their own flag!

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:52 am Post subject:

The flags you see on BookTalk.org came as one complete set. The work required to locate and swap out individual flags is more than I can handle right now. I do appreciate your perspective. Some of the flags aren't very attractive....they look a bit pixelated. Maybe in the future we can locate a better and more complete flag set. Smile

Penelope · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:

Well, I don't like flags at all. They just give me the jitters......

It may be that the Union Jack has become the symbol of the worst kind of nationalism......and when Chris, kindly put the Union Jack flag on my posts....I thought, 'Oh No....everyone will think I am a member of the BNP....(British Nationalist Party - alias The National Front - who want all foreigners to go home - England for the English etc......not my politics at all).

The Flag of St George....also, not good feelings.

After all...the Crusaders used the flag of St. George and looked all very noble. When I was little, I believed all that honour and bravery stuff, but as a grew older I saw how cruel and dishonourably people had behaved under the banner of that flag.

Anyway.....I can see that it is a quick way of identifying where on the globe a person is posting from and so I opted for the European Union flag...which, after all, is very pretty. Wink

Ophelia · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

tarav · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:34 pm Post subject:

I like the idea of the planet earth flag, Ophelia! Or maybe a universe flag...what would that look like? Does anybody wanna design one?

Chris OConnor · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:18 pm Post subject:

If someone can design or find one on the Internet I will add it. The dimensions need to be:

20 pixels tall
40 pixels wide (or at least 20 wide)

I can add an "Earth" flag or "Human" or whatever you want.

Penelope · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject:

Why do you think we need any flag of any kind?

To hide behind? So we can say, 'This is Us, and That is Them'?

Divide and weaken....innit?

May I introduce you to the 'New Unification Front'....Number of members, less than two, members one.

Because this one doesn't believe in competition and division. This one believes absolutely that there are absolutely wonderful people in every race, creed and culture....and there are equally, absolutely horrid, divisive people in every race, creed and culture. Unfortunately, it only takes one or two evil bastards to bugger it up for all the rest of us.

The flags and emblems and chants and anthems....are just divisive, no more than that ..... they help to condition us into thinking we don't all want the same things. Sad


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