Designing a new flag is an exciting opportunity for all Mississippians

Published 4:54 pm Thursday, July 16, 2020

For those of you who are fans of the television sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” no doubt you are familiar with Sheldon Cooper.

Sheldon is a brainiac with an IQ about which he often brags, but the physicist has no common sense whatsoever.

The show is hilarious and I got hooked watching it after a bit of coaxing from hubby and my youngest daughter.

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In several episodes of “The Big Bang Theory,” Sheldon produces a vodcast, sort of like a podcast as I understand, to teach all those watching vexillology, the study of flags.

He calls it “Sheldon Cooper Presents: Fun with Flags.”

It seems ridiculous that anyone but a Sheldon-type character would think to do a vodcast on flags, but in this Emmy Award-winning show, it is not only entertaining, there are also instances where it borders on educational.

Take for instance the vodcast entitled, “Flags: you gotta know how to hold’em, you gotta know how to fold’em.”

These silly little vodcasts of Sheldon made me think of our situation here in Mississippi.

Since the retiring of our former state flag in June, we need a replacement.

Therefore, in an effort to make that happen, lawmakers created a nine-member commission to develop, design and present to Mississippi voters in November a new state flag for their approval.

One of these nine is our own Vicksburg native Mack Varner.

While this commission will ultimately serve as the deciding factor in recommending a design for the new state flag, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History is accepting flag design submissions from whoever would like to submit.

This commission of nine, no doubt, would benefit from a plethora of ideas.

For parents out there, this seems like a wonderful opportunity for children to use their imaginations while also becoming part of the process in helping determine what a new flag could look like.

I think it would be amazing to see what little ones would design, and as a grandmother, I might just send my little people some art supplies to spur their interest.

Also, the creativity that exists in this town is phenomenal.

I don’t know if there is another city in the state that has as many talented artists cloistered together in one spot.

I hope they, too, will consider sending images that could potentially become our next flag.

This is exciting!

At this juncture in time, Mississippi has the chance to show the rest of America who we really are, a state that can come together, reach across aisles and show pride for all our heritages.

This flag can be the start of a new history.

And in the words of Sheldon,

“For joy and fun,

There’s no better manner,

Than to fly a pennant,

Flag or banner,

What fills my heart,

And makes my eyes moist,

Sending a flag,

Up a pole on a hoist,

Fun with flags,

Fun with flags,

Oh! Say can you see,

It’s fun with flags,

Fun with flags!”

For those interested in taking part, designs may be emailed to Emma McRaney at emcraney @mdah.ms.gov or mailed to Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, P.O. Box 571, Jackson, MS, 39205-0571.

The criteria for any flag designs must include:

Only unique flag design submissions that include the words “In God We Trust” will be considered by the nine-member commission. Flag descriptions will not be considered.

The new flag design cannot include the Confederate battle flag.

The flag design submission must adhere to principles of the North American Vexillological Association:

Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw if from memory.

Use meaningful symbolism. The flag’s images, color, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes.

Use two or three basic colors.

Be distinctive or be related.

The deadline for submitting flag designs is Aug. 13.

 

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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