Let’s celebrate Flag Day on June 14 by contemplating a condition flag style and design that states something distinct about who we are as Utahns in the 21st century.
The dialogue that’s been prompted by the state’s Far more Than A Flag initiative has been formidable. Any design process is challenging, as it starts by brainstorming concepts and aspirations before moving to much more precise decisions. By imagining what we have to have we probable will discover what we want: A flag that speaks to us equally immediately and symbolically.
I like the ambition of a procedure based on inquiring Utahns statewide what they want on a new flag, and what colors or symbols most effective symbolize this distinct condition. That is why I agreed to provide as a volunteer on the Structure Critique Subcommittee. I was amazed with how the initiative sought illustration from across the point out — from cultural teams, colleges, Tribes, and municipal officers.
In four months, this bipartisan initiative been given a lot more than 5,000 electronic flag style and design submissions, as properly as scores more shipped by means of the mail. All those styles came from all 29 of the state’s counties, which includes from our buddies and neighbors here in Washington County.
In the next phase of the procedure, volunteers on the Structure Overview Subcommittee will look via the submissions and pick a handful of prime candidates. These styles will be posted on the Flag.Utah.gov site in August and we’ll request citizens to weigh in. We want to know what Utahns imagine. At the very same time, we know no one flag layout will ever be the top rated option of anyone.
The subcommittee will send out 3 finalists to the Utah Condition Flag Task Force, who will choose one particular final flag design to be considered by the Utah Legislature and by Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox.
I am pleased we are performing collectively to design a flag for the 21st century. I like the challenge of imagining what will represent Utah in 2022, more than a century soon after the state adopted the present-day flag style and design.
As I assume about a new point out flag layout, I’m inspired by exclusive illustrations this kind of as the Texas flag. The design’s straightforward crimson, white and blue stripes, with just one prominent white star captures the id of the Lone Star Point out. I also am struck by the simplicity of New Mexico’s flag, which speaks to the shared journeys of indigenous persons and newcomers. Both flags are iconic, memorable, and open to interpretation. In equally cases, a lot less is more.
At the end of our flag collection course of action here in Utah, we could embrace a flag that is extra abstractly representational of the values of Utah, like the Texas and New Mexico flags. Or we may find a flag that resembles what we have now extra to our liking.
I really do not know what will transpire, but my work on the Style Overview Subcommittee is to raise issues about what we’re attempting to complete in this course of action. The Subcommittee will grapple with acquainted tensions in between summary vs. concrete, the earlier vs. the current, and dominant cultural or historical teams vs. newcomers to the state.
As with most crucial choices, there are lots of concerns, opinions and hopes we ought to weigh. That is what excites me about the A lot more Than A Flag conversation.
I hope every person will remain engaged by checking out Flag.Utah.gov. The formal submission approach has finished, but the discussion carries on. There will be far more opportunities for us to come collectively and share our feelings about our new flag.
Dr. Stephen Lee has been dean of the College or university of Humanities and Social Sciences at Utah Tech College, previously Dixie Point out College, considering the fact that 2019. Lee, who studied economics just before earning master’s and doctoral levels in interaction, researches the film and audio industries and has also manufactured, directed, and edited documentaries and academic courses. He serves as a volunteer on the Structure Evaluate Subcommittee of Utah’s Extra Than A Flag initiative.
This short article at first appeared on St. George Spectrum & Every day Information: Your Switch: Celebrating Flag Day by celebrating the ambition of a new Utah condition flag style