Singer Macy Gray wrote in a Juneteenth op-ed piece at MarketWatch that it is time for a new U.S. flag. She advocated for a 52 star flag, designed to include both Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. as new states.
Old Glory is “confusing”
Gray also wants color changes, though her new design is otherwise the same as the basic U.S. flag, with stars and stripes.
“President Biden, Madame Harris and members of Congress: the American flag has been hijacked as code for a specific belief,” she wrote.”Like the Confederate, it is tattered, dated, divisive, and incorrect. It no longer represents democracy and freedom. It no longer represents ALL of us. It’s not fair to be forced to honor it. It’s time for a new flag.”
Gray referenced the use of the American flag in the January 6th uprising at the capitol. “I feel like the flag has been violated and weaponized,” she told Fox News in an interview. “We all saw a man being beat with a flag pole and we saw the insurrectionists storm the capital and use the American flag as their badge and symbol.”
The stars
The biggest change Gray proposes is in the color and number of the stars. The U.S. flag has white stars, one for each state. “Let’s look to the stars. There are 50, where there should be 52. D.C. and Puerto Rico have been lobbying for statehood for decades. Both have been denied, since statehood would allow each territory’s elected officials seats in the house,” Gray wrote. “Assuming D.C. reps would be African-American and Puerto Rican reps would be Hispanic, the ultimate assumption is that these elected officials would be Democratic. That alone is racist.”
Puerto Rico has a history of voting for both Republicans and Democrats, and the platforms of both parties support statehood for the territory.
“What if there were 52 stars to include D.C. and Puerto Rico? What if the stars were the colors of ALL of us — your skin tone and mine?” Gray continued.
The stripes
According to the Legion of Honor, the colors of the flag are symbolic. “According to custom and tradition, white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue signifies vigilance, perseverance, and justice.”
Gray suggests that, while the United States still stands for valor and perseverance, we can no longer claim purity and innocence. She has replaced the white stars and the white stripes as well with neutral colors. Her design keeps the red and blue elements, updating them slightly for a more modern look.
The response
Reactions in social media have ranged from enthusiastic support to angry reactions.
However, Gray has continued to argue for the change she proposed.
“What the flag represents at this point is confusing. I think it’s confusing to us, it’s confusing to other countries,” she said. “It’s weird to honor it or to salute to it because you don’t know what it stands for anymore.”
The FLAG is NOT the problem. The problem is the PEOPLE!!!
The flag has not changed it’s meaning, the PEOPLE have decided that they want to cause dissention for the country.
What needs to change is the attitude of the American public!!!
The red,white and blue on the flag has NOTHING to do with race, gender or religion. The flag has been the same for over two hundred years. Absolutely NO reason to change it now!!!!
Amen! People like her are the problem in this world… stupidity & ignorance. Gross.
The flag is still aspirational, if not supposedly accurate. In truth, we were never “pure.” It’s a goal. The grey stripes just make me feel sad. However, I am all for the 52 stars. Let’s get that design contest going.
Who is this clown? What right does she believe to have to speak for the Puerto Rican people?
Understand this: Puerto Rico is a nation twice as old as the USA. Indeed, this year, 2021, San Juan celebrates its 500th anniversary. And it has much to celebrate which could teach legions to the upstart that pretends to “teach”/bully the nations of humanity into kowtowing to its whims. San Juan was founded on the principles exposed in the Leyes de Burgos of 1512 which proclaimed all Indigenous peoples free and equal to the Spanish. And the Puerto Rican people who emerged made this the spirit of their country as a nation. Of course the USA has yet to understand any of this.
UNDERSTAND THIS:
PUERTO RICO IS A NATION!
PUERTO RICANS DO NOT WANT TO BE ANNEXED TO YOUR EMPIRE OF LIES AND THE HYPOCRITE REPUBLIC ON WHICH IT WALLOWS!
PUERTO RICO DEMANDS GENUINE SELF DETERMINATION!
PUERTO RICO DEMANDS INDEPENDENCE!
And please take your corrupt scum lackeys with you!
And yes please do close the door when you leave!
And yes, please do take your flags with you when you leave.
Just like you said speak for yourself- its a commonwealth by choice – and their is nothing more detrimental to Puerto Rico then its OWN AUTONOMOUS GOVT THAT Steals AND MISMANAGED THE COUNTRY EVER SINCE THEY WERE GIVEN CONTROL- independence for what so socialist and communist can cone steal my land. Eff off
Just like you said speak for yourself- its a commonwealth by choice – and their is nothing more detrimental to Puerto Rico then its OWN AUTONOMOUS GOVT THAT Steals AND MISMANAGED THE COUNTRY EVER SINCE THEY WERE GIVEN CONTROL- independence for what so socialist and communist can cone steal my land.
No Macy…YOU think its confusing. And YOU don’t know what it stands for…obviously! YOU are confused about what our flag means. It does NOT represent race, gender or religion. It represents our freedom. Period. The only thing confusing is your actual stupidty & ignorance on this matter. And for the record… Since when are stars brown? Or black? Ever look up at the sky?? If you don’t like what the flag truly represents then GTFOH. And take your ugly racial flag designs with you.