There are many symbols that have been used in our day and age that provide a symbolic representation of an identity. A flag is only one of them. There are also salutes, oaths, statues, symbolic shapes (crosses and stars), handshakes/nose rubs, badges, dances, costumes, hair styles, headwear, books, jewellery and more. All have been utilised by countries, political groups, religions and interest groups.
I must congratulate the Swedish Deaf Association for investing their time and energy in creating a flag, as shown at the start of this blog. It has a series of blue strips to represent that five continents in different shades of blue, the colour of the World Federation of the Deaf. WFD is having their congress in Durban, South Africa, just this week.
It has been called for WFD to approve the flag, and this should be welcomed. But it should not be the flag of WFD, it already has its own symbol that is internationally recognised. This is the flag that should represent the pluralism of Deaf communities that could be used and distributed by anyone.
As a Gay man, the rainbow flag is a potent symbol because wherever I see the colours, I know that place welcomes me. It ranges from a painted symbol across the top of a building or a small badge in the shop window. It is a symbols that tells me, ‘this place is safe from persecution.’ Maybe ‘persecution’ is a strong word but when you arrive in a public place and you are welcomed in signed language, it is an enormous sigh of reassurance. A place devoid of judgement and hostility. You feel safe.
Do we need a flag? Oh yes. But is this the flag? I am not too sure. It is unsymmetrical and too many shades of the same colour. It is not noticeable from afar and too loyal to the international colours. It needs to be a flag of the people and not of the UN.
What is delightful is that this flag comes far away from the symbols of slashes: a slash through the ear or a slash through the word ‘loss’. Nobody wants to see a symbol that says ‘can’t', instead of ‘can’. A Deaf flag needs to free people from the chains of assumed inability or the past and give people the freedom to create their own futures. Symbols are potent in keeping communities together and creating places for the Deaf community to nurture their capital.
Image is not a true representation of the flag but an imitation for the purpose of this blog.
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LinkedInTags: capital, community, deaf, flag, Swedish Deaf Association, symbolic, WFD
I think it’s fascinating that Deaf people have adopted a flag route… it calls to mind the original (and most immediate) way that Deaf people were recognised in France when they ‘surfaced’ in the early 1800s… as a nation.
Nationhood is changing, as is Deafhood… and flags don’t *only* mean nations.
But it will be interesting to see what (if anything) the emergence of a flag does to the psyche of a Deaf community who have a new trope around which to rally.
Thanks for unpacking this John.
The war flags predates the national flags, they were used to indicate to the enemy who they were. The flags on occasion used the family crest to represent who the soldiers were fighting for. Most of the time, they were fighting for land and resources.
Is this flag another move towards making an ‘ethnic dream’ become a reality?
It’s a great idea to have a flag symbol that could be put in a store window in a small size to show that sign language is welcomed.
However, blue isn’t a good idea because it is a color prone to fading in constant sun. I’d like to see more varied examples and tested for use in different locations for durability, visibility, recognition and ease of reproduction.
Check out our proposed deaf flag at http://www.adreanaline.com/blog/2011/07/the-deaf-flag/ — Also have graphics for download if you like it.
I am sorry but this flag does not resonates the vibrancy of the global community to me. It actually quite dour. We should also avoid using “hands” on flag too – too cliche.
But, I do like the concept of using flag to identify deaf-friendly places etc etc. It seems to me that this flag have been pushed through and approved without any real global feedback from people who may not have the means to globe trot.
Tony, just a point of clarification. WFD has agreed to the principle of a flag but have yet to approve the final design. But I share your thoughts; it needs a lot of work.
I agree with John. It need a lot more research and more work to be finalize and approve. To me, it look like any 8th grader could have done this. No offense.