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.
