Politics Fiji change flag...when will we follow?

[rayven]

We're not talking about adopting the Union Jack though, are we? I can understand why some people would want to get rid of our current flag, I just don't see how adopting a flag with (to take one example) 150 years of close association with anti-Asian racism somehow makes things better.

My point is that adopting the eureka cross and what it represents is no worse that what the Union jack represents.


Jürgen Osterhammel's Colonialism: A Theoretical Overview,

Colonialism is a relationship between an indigenous (or forcibly imported) majority and a minority of foreigninvaders. The fundamental decisions affecting the lives of the colonized people are made and implemented by the colonial rulers in pursuit of interests that are often defined in a distant metropolis. Rejecting cultural compromises with the colonized population, the colonizers are convinced of their own superiority and their ordained mandate to rule.[7]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonialism
Its not something to be proud about any more. but then people still fly swastikas

 

[Caesar]

If the current flag is bad enough to warrant changing, why would you substitute it for a flag that only meets the relatively low bar of being 'no worse'?

I don't understand why you are ashamed of a flag that represents colonialism, but are quite happy to fly a flag that is just as closely associated with anti-Asian racism.

 

[The_Reaper]

Green, gold, black for the Aboriginal people, red for the earth, and a little bit of white to keep the bogans happy.

Don't want the Austrian flag.
Should go with emu export.

 

[mantis]

It's a piece of cloth. FFS

Yes it is, so why not change that piece of cloth?

 

[The_Reaper]

Yes it is, so why not change that piece of cloth?

If it isn't broke why fix it?
Not to mention that apart from the eureka flag every alternative flag proposed has being an eyesore

 

[mantis]

If it isn't broke why fix it?
Not to mention that apart from the eureka flag every alternative flag proposed has being an eyesore

That's why I think a green flag with a sprig of golden wattle would look awesome & represent our country.

 

[skilts]

I think it unlikely that there will be much popular support for Australia adopting Fiji's new flag.

 

[evo]

Personally I don't give a ferk whether we change it or not, but please, if I'm going to have look at this thing for the rest of my days NO GREEN AND GOLD! There is no more hideous combinations of colours.

 

[placebo]

Yeah if we have to absolutely change it, no green and gold.

Maybe just make it all blue. It could potentially lead to less flag/southern cross tattoos, which could only be a good thing.

 

[evo]

How about a black flag? At least it would remind me of a good band.

 

[Malifice]

That's why I think a green flag with a sprig of golden wattle would look awesome & represent our country.

Also this one:

While were at it, hopefully the Kiwis go with:

 

[Dont be a lemon]

If it isn't broke why fix it?

Not broken in your proud Anglo eyes.

 

[Caesar]

I'm not particularly fussed about the flag, but it seems like a bit of an empty gesture to change it simply because it represents colonialism. I mean, we live in a society ruled by a colonial constitution that was written by colonists and enacted by the imperial parliament. Our country is unapologetically a colonial product in pretty much every respect. If nothing else the current flag is honest about that.

Of course, if people want to change it because they think it's butt-ugly then I can totally respect that.

 

[The_Reaper]

Not broken in your proud Anglo eyes.

I'm not anglo

 

[mantis]

Also this one:

While were at it, hopefully the Kiwis go with:

Jeebus Malifice, I don't usually disagree with you, but all those flags are horrible.

Wish I knew how to make these pics, but if anyone out there can do a pic of a green flag with a sprig of golden wattle, I would very much appreciate it.

 

[The_Reaper]

Jeebus Malifice, I don't usually disagree with you, but all those flags are horrible.

Wish I knew how to make these pics, but if anyone out there can do a pic of a green flag with a sprig of golden wattle, I would very much appreciate it.

I think I've said that every proposed flag ever has looked a complete eyesore.

 

[Caesar]

Wish I knew how to make these pics, but if anyone out there can do a pic of a green flag with a sprig of golden wattle, I would very much appreciate it.

There are a few wattle flag designs floating around on the web:

Leaving the Union Jack part aside for a moment, I quite like the symbolism behind the current flag. Most people know about the federation star, but a lot of people don't realise that the 14 year old boy who designed the flag also saw the Southern Cross as being representative of the stars that appear in Purgatory in Dante's Inferno - which in turn represent the four cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Temperance and Fortitude.

I don't think I have seen any alternative design to the flag that has had that much thought put into its meaning. If people really dislike the UJ that much then my first preference would be to simply drop it from the canton.

 

[evo]

 

[Malifice]

Jeebus Malifice, I don't usually disagree with you, but all those flags are horrible.

It was the best I could find on Google!

Not exactly a paint guru sadly.

 

[Jakko]

I have yet to see an alternate design I would be comfortable with. I know people like to pick on the symbolism of the UJ part, but cmon. How many great moments in our countries modern history has that very flag been front and centre? Winning and competing in world cups, olympic glory, americas cup, surfers, motorsport dudes, humanitarian efforts, our fallen returned. Does all that not symbolise something?

Replacing it would imply it was somehow bad, I certainly dont think that way.

 

[Poseidon]

Every country in the world is laughing at us for having a permanent symbol of Britain's ownership of us on our flag.

Keep the flag as is, but replace the Union Jack with:

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Less than 3% of the population
A made up flag to represent a group of people who had no central government, and were thousands of separate tribes. But yeah that flag is a good idea to represent Australia

 

[RandB]

While we're at it I want a more hardcore coat of arms too.

Inland Taipan, Funnelweb spider, box jellyfish, blue ring octopus and a big arse salty.

But seriously, kudos to Fiji.

 

[jackn]

Keep the flag as it is. It's been the flag through just about every major event in the history of the nation. Part of it may represent colonialism but that's part of Australia's history. If the land hadn't have been colonised then there would be no Australia and none of us would be here (including any of the 'original Australians').

 

[Malifice]

Keep the flag as it is. It's been the flag through just about every major event in the history of the nation. Part of it may represent colonialism but that's part of Australia's history.

I could Godwin the shit out this thread at this point.

If the land hadn't have been colonised then there would be no Australia and none of us would be here (including any of the 'original Australians').

Pretty sure theyd still be here.

They survived the prior 40,000 years OK.