We need to sharpen our Massachusetts flag discussion. Jeff Jacoby correctly asserts that the sword in our state seal was not intended to symbolize violence against people who lived here long before Europeans arrived. However, the claim Jacoby repeats, that the arm and sword represent the “arm of God,” is dubious. A simpler explanation is that it represents our Commonwealth’s motto.
According to the Massachusetts secretary of state’s website, both the state motto and first seal containing a sword were adopted pursuant to a General Court order of July 28, 1775, when armed rebellion against British rule was underway. The preceding seal was in the possession of the besieged royal governor. The new seal, engraved by Paul Revere, featured an English American man holding a sword in his right hand and the Magna Carta in his left. The motto “is attributed to the famous English patriot, Algernon Sydney.” Sydney was beheaded for treason against the king in 1683 but his posthumously published “Discourses Concerning Government” became influential among American revolutionaries. The motto’s message, that liberty is worth fighting for and should not be sacrificed for peace, is as valid today as it was in 1775. And it cuts in many directions.
Roger Wilson
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Winchester
Jeff Jacoby’s column on reimagining the state flag generated many comments on BostonGlobe.com. The following is an edited sample:
I would suggest that the new design retain the longstanding distinctive colors — white, sky blue and gold — and basic configuration of the current flag, the colors of which are linked to Boston’s seal and flag. Whoever redesigns the flag should be someone with serious experience in the design of heraldic devices. The flood of terrible, cheesy logo design culture that prevails in our current age, and the people who promote it, should be strenuously avoided by the commission. I respectively suggest using the profile of American Elm in leaf as the Tree of Liberty (as Boston’s famous one was, and which inspired Liberty Trees elsewhere in the Commonwealth) as the center of a new device. It is a noble symbol, worthy of a heraldic device, that makes no distinction among the Commonwealth’s residents and embraces a value that all residents can equally identify with as a historical, present, and future value. It also would not infringe on the historical use of the White Pine tree as a heraldic symbol of New England as a whole and of the State of Maine in particular. (KWBS)
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Or ... we leave the flag alone and use it to learn our history, both good and bad! Lets learn from it. We can’t erase everything, but we can use subjects such as this to learn and be educated. (user_4528976)
Why don’t we ask the Wampanoag people what they would like? (adriannel)
I like Jacoby’s idea: simple, clean and respectful of the first people who were not only the earliest residents — but are still here. Thank you for cutting to the quick. (susan02038)
They should have saved the money and had an open competition among people throughout the state. There’s a lot of great designers out there who would be proud to have their design on a flag just for bragging rights. (Matt Hooper)
Leave it alone. There is nothing offensive about the flag as it stands, and there is something of great value when a flag can be the same for generations. Jeff can complain about this or that, but a flag is not that important. It is symbolism, and nothing more. The current flag is fine. (Richmond12)
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Richmond, Va., the capital of the Confederacy, is ok with flags showing subtle and overt forms of racism because of “traditions.” (a-Smithey)
I have a couple of ideas.1) A four way traffic intersection completely gridlocked. 2) A bear claw and a Dunkin’ cup. (FlexPat)
Massachusetts is a leader in the American Revolution, education, and health care, so maybe consider a Minuteman, a book, and a caduceus. No donut, no clover. Maybe a new motto to the effect of “Justice, Peace, Humanity.” (timetoheal)
I remember the last time I thought about the state flag. It was never. Now we’re spending a total of $200,000 for a redesign? If it’s that important, make it a contest with all the academia here in the state — you know we’re told we’re pretty smart here — and it will cost nothing. The winner gets bragging rights. (Bombadil5)
The Massachusetts name came from the Native American Tribe that lived in the area for thousands of years until the Europeans settled in this area. In and around 1620, 90 percent of the Massachusetts tribe perished from diseases that Europeans brought to this area. The remainder of the Native American tribes in Massachusetts were killed, captured, or enslaved by the end of King Philip’s War in 1675-1676. The Native American should remain on the state flag, to honor the Massachusetts Tribe, the sword should be removed, and the state motto changed to “Freedom, Liberty, Peace, and Justice for All.” It’s the foundation of our imperfect Republic — and its imperfect and at times vile history. (timc5)
How about an image of a subway car on fire? (BenM)
An invitation to readers: What is your best suggestion for an appealing and appropriate state flag? Please send Jeff Jacoby an image of what you envision at jeff.jacoby@globe.com, along with a brief explanation of why you think it should be the Commonwealth’s new standard. He’ll share the most intriguing and noteworthy proposals with Globe readers in a future column.
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