In an effort to resolve the ongoing debate about whether or not to fly the Confederate flag, Studio 30 -- a weekly public radio program -- commissioned 70kft, a Texas-based design firm, to come up with a new flag to represent "the modern South."
According to an article by John Hammontree – who writes features and opinion pieces for the AL.com Alabama website, the result of the project was a banner that combines the tried and true colors of red and blue diagonal stripes -- but no stars -- on a white background that represents “different people, with unique backgrounds, experiences and values. They are equal to each other, but different in color.”
In addition, the “diverse array of backgrounds, opinions, values and perspectives now found throughout the region create the very fabric of the modern South."
Hammontree began his article with two simple words: “Southern pride.”
He then stated:
In the heated debate surrounding the Confederate flag, the defense offered by many has been that the symbol isn't representative of a culture built on slavery and racism but is, instead, a banner representing that Southerners are simply proud of their home, their people and their culture.
“What other symbol immediately lets the world know you are from the South?” they ask.
"The South is unique as a region in that it already has an informal definition," Gus Granger, founder of 70kft and a leading creative contributor on the project, said in a conversation with AL.com. The problem is that this community that people feel so passionate about "has out-of-date visual assets to help define its identity."
“He's right,” Hammontree agreed. “The South is the only part of the country that seems dead set on having its own particular brand ethos -- you don't see the West or New England rallying around a regional flag.”
“And if we are going to define ourselves as a region, maybe it is time for an update,” he stated. “After all, for 150 years, we've essentially maintained the same branding even though our product has changed.”
“The diverse array of backgrounds, opinions, values and perspectives now found throughout the region create the very fabric of the modern South" that make up the American flag (and, yes, the Confederate battle flag as well)," the author asserted.
However, these "reds and blues are more vibrant than how they are traditionally used, to reflect a younger, energetic and modern personality,” he continued.
“Could a new design offer Southerners the chance to embrace Southern pride without embracing a symbol that hurts so many of our friends and neighbors?” the writer asked.
Granger agreed that the goal was to “bring a modern visual language into the space for people that want to celebrate their legacy as Southerners," not by eliminating or ignoring cultural differences but by respecting them.
In an online presentation, 70kft suggests:
The Confederate battle flag is a divisive symbol. Some see family and honor. Some see bigotry and hatred. If we can't agree on the meaning, we can never be unified by it.
What would a new symbol for the modern South look like? A stereotypical symbol wouldn't fully capture the complexity of the South.
“The modern South is a mix of many different personalities, values and viewpoints,” the male narrator continued. “A new symbol should reflect these perspectives and weave a unified fabric from the overlapping cultures.
“The color palette should be distinctly American, but more vibrant to reflect a modern, energetic and patriotic feel,” he adeds. “The result is a symbol that tells a positive and relevant visual story about the South.”
At that point, Hammontree admitted: “I'm kind of in love with this flag. It's a flag that doesn't try to capture 'a mythical idea about what the South used to be' but instead looks 'forward to the future.'
“And what could happen when these diverse peoples, cultures and backgrounds intersect?” the writer asked. “That's what really makes up the modern South – a South that we should all be proud of.”
The pattern is scalable and could appear on hats, shirts, buttons, pillows, bow ties, and even the front of a truck covered in mud, Hammontree stated.
“Granger said they've gotten an overwhelmingly positive response,” the writer stated before noting that "a lot of stereotypes are applied to the South rather than recognizing their impact on the trajectory of America and the changing of our culture."
Of course, it could take some time before people actually see the flags and other items since this project was carried out by -- wait for it -- a public radio program.
