by Anna Jankowski
In the midst of America’s ongoing culture war, it is widely recognized that the left comprehends (and exploits) the profound influence that American history, values and tradition exert on its citizens. Cancel culture has rapidly infiltrated public discourse, leaving state flags as its next target.
From Maine to Utah, left-leaning activists are spearheading efforts to redesign numerous state flags. In 2021, Mississippi removed Confederate imagery from its flag entirely, while Minnesota established an “emblem redesign commission” in May 2023 to eliminate depictions of Native Americans from its seal and flag. Furthermore, Massachusetts is considering a change in its flag to promote gender equality, contemplating replacing one of the two male figures with a female representation.
What charges could the left level against the Virginia state flag? The Virginia flag and seal were created in 1776 in the aftermath of the War for Independence but was not officially adopted as a flag until Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861. The seal has gone through minor changes in the 150 years since it was adopted, but the basic form of the flag remains constant.
The seal features an Amazon maiden (representing Virtue) standing triumphant over a fallen king. The motto “sic semper tyrannis” (Thus always to tyrants) and a decorative border complete the seal.
This imagery was an expression of the revolutionary spirit present during the War for Independence and later the Civil War. Jokingly, it was said that “sic semper tyrannis” could be translated as ‘get your foot off my neck.”
“Sic semper tyrannis” also appeared in other parts of American history. John Wilkes Booth shouted the phrase after killing President Lincoln in Ford’s Theater. Although Booth’s meaning is ambiguous, the phrase was used in a pro-Confederate song.
Although the sentiment of the Virginia state flag is excellent, the execution leaves the viewer lacking. The Virginia flag is a seal-on-a-bedsheet flag (or as vexillologists like to call them, S.O.B.s) which include a state seal on a solid color background. This makes them low-hanging fruit for the left. S.O.B. flags were constantly ranked low on a 2001 study conducted by the North American Vexillological Association. Virginia ranked 54 (out of 72) with a score of 3.93/10.
The reason that S.O.B. flags are not popular in the Vexillological world is because they are virtually indistinguishable from one another. It is nearly impossible to discern the difference between them when they are actually flying.
It may be easy to dismiss these concerns as trivial – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But it is crucial that state flags not only have a good message, but that those flags portray that message in an effective way. S.O.B. flags break all of vexillologist Ted Kaye’s five principles of flag design.
Because the Virginia state flag is an S.O.B. flag, it has substantially less power than it otherwise could have. If it was unique and distinguishable from other state flags, then it would be a much more powerful tool in the hands of its citizenry.
Virginians should be proud of their flag’s revolutionary spirit and work to help match the execution to the sentiment. Across America, flags are being redesigned to better match principles of good flag design, but unfortunately, the left is pushing many of these redesigns to be woke.
Conservatives should confront this challenge to state flags in two key ways. First and foremost, they must resist succumbing to woke agendas. Simultaneously, conservatives should not overlook the possibility that a redesign might better represent their state’s heritage and values.
By relinquishing their stance on inevitable flag redesigns, conservatives risk surrendering a potent cultural weapon to the left. Instead, conservatives should proactively take a stand and fight for well-designed flags that showcase the individuality of their respective states, and Virginia is no exception. Although there are not currently any meaningful challenges to the state flag, they will come. Taking a proactive stance on state flag design will allow conservatives to steer the conversation and preserve the history and values of Virginia.
Anna Jankowski is an intern with the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women.
