Pink Freedom IV

“The American flag has stood as a symbol of freedom and justice for over 225 years. Through wars and in times of peace, the sight of the American flag has given notice to foes and assurances to friends that democracy lives. No other symbol captures the power and glory of our nation like the American flag.

“The stripes represent the original 13 Colonies and the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well; red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.”

Source

“The American flag is a symbol known worldwide. The flag is so important that its history tells the story of America itself. It represents the freedom, dignity, and true meaning of being an American. It has been with us through our war times, our sad times, but also in times of our greatest joys and triumphs.”

Yet for so many people much of our history is white washed by individuals’ visions of what this country represents. Freedom of speech is silenced for many. Justice for all is not always dispensed equally and equitably. The pain of the nation must be examined to discover our unconscious biases.

“According to custom and tradition, white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice”.

The stripes become sculptural with needle felting to form corduroy-like ridges. On the flip side, the blue star field will represent the order of states ratification into the United States. Since the star field is in reverse, the order will read that way, from top to bottom, right to left.

For the back, I decided to take the flip side of the star field. So the order each states ratification into the union is read backwards. Delaware is the 1st position at top right; the first state to ratified into the union, and so on, to the bottom left star Hawaii, the 50th state. Blue to blue. True to true. From sea to shining sea.

The color of each row was random to the colors I had in my wool roving supply. The colors were for artistic effect, but interesting patterns emerged.

1. The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

The next image explains when, in 1923, the change of wording of allegiance happened. The roots of nationalism, slow and very subtle, start with what seems to be very innocuous words and themes. Next thing you know, the morality of the church starts to police the country. Why separation of church and state was a root reason for freedom in this new country.

Source

2. In 1923, the words, "the Flag of the United States of America" were added. At this time it read: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

3.   In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words "under God," creating the 31-word pledge we say today. Bellamy's daughter objected to this alteration. Today it reads:

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

Each state field was pinned with the color blue or red as to their 2020 voting. Interesting to see patterns emerge in color of stripe and entry into the country. May we preserve our democracy and Freedom and Justice For All.