Portland Flag Association 1 ISSN 2474-1787

Portland Flag Association “Free, and Worth Every Penny!” Issue 76 June 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: The 1999 Genesis of Good Flag, Bad Flag

Genesis of Good Flag, Bad Flag 1 By Ted Kaye I compiled the text by consulting 2 May 2019 Flutterings 20 years ago the concept of a the writings of about 20 vexillo- A “Gray Pride” Flag 4 general-interest flag-design guide- graphic thinkers—in the U.S. and Roundup 5 Canada and around the world. 6 book arose during ICV 18, the The Pro-Abortion Gadsden Flag Finding that they seemed to agree Flaggy Map | Flags in School 7 18th International Congress of on five basic principles, I made Farewell, Michael Faul & Chumley 8 Vexillology, held in Victoria, BC. Pirate Flags in the Caribbean 9 those the core of the guidebook. The Red Flag 10 Several PFA members attended At ICV 19 I shared a draft of a The Flag Quiz 11 that meeting—also NAVA 33— Portland Flag Miscellany 12 as one of our own, Mason Kaye, 16-page booklet titled Good Flag, Next Meeting 12 delivered a Driver-Award-winning Bad Flag (a catchy if sometimes www.portlandflag.org presentation (its proximity to Port- unfortunate moniker). It met with land boosted PFA attendance!). wide enthusiasm from attendees.

A panel discussion exploring After sharing it with members and

“Vexillography—Guides for Flag receiving feedback, NAVA leader- Design” (featuring flag merchants ship of accepted the text and pub- Doreen Braverman, Jim Ferrigan, lished it electronically on nava.org. and Peter Orenski) deplored the In 2006, NAVA published GFBF sad state of flag design, evidenced in printed form and since then has by the poor quality of the flags given it to each new member and proposed by their customers. made it available on Amazon.com.

As the panel wrapped up, I rose to GFBF has been translated into

assert that we flag experts had no Spanish, French, German, Italian, business criticizing the public’s Portuguese, and Slovenian, through vexillographic attempts until we the generous work of fellow vexil- successfully shared the basic prin- lologists. All are available for ciples of flag design with them. download on the NAVA website. I then impulsively volunteered to

The flag should fill this primary condition: ... draft such a guidebook, promising The majority of flag-design efforts it must ... be a flag. And it must be a simple design, recognizable at a distance, a bright, it for the next ICV, to be held in in the U.S. now quote GFBF—a clear note in the sky. A balanced and harmonious York, England, in two years’ time. success 20 years after its origin. composition which will carry its meaning unfolding or fluttering in the wind. — Guy Viau, If you wish to compliment the editor, or to contribute in the future, contact Ted Kaye Province of Québec Arts Council, 1963 at 503-223-4660 or [email protected]. If you wish to complain, call your mother.

2 The Vexilloid Tabloid May 2019 Flutterings You Need to Know In our May meeting, hosted by Max Liberman, 11 PFA members enjoyed an evening of flags and conversation. Max moderated the discussion.

Michael Orelove recounted his recent cruise in the Caribbean and the flags he found in a pirate shop on St. Thomas (see p. 9).

John Niggley solicited ideas for a flag he is developing to commemo- rate his company’s major green- pipe-removal project.

Max Liberman continued his ex- Michael Orelove shares his pirate John Niggley explains the flag-worthy ploration into Australian state and booty from the Caribbean. green pipe removal project. territory flags, recounting past vex- Roberta Krogman shared an article supply of rip-stop nylon into a illographers’ efforts then debuting using a new metaphor—a “green quilt, perhaps with flag themes. four of his designs. flag”—meaning a good sign Israel Nuñez wondered why most (versus a “red flag” as a bad sign). Fred Paltridge celebrated the flags are rectangular or triangular playoff successes of the Portland David Koski, inspired by the many and none are circular. Members Trail Blazers, our NBA team, “pride flags”, showed his concept advanced several theories. wearing its colors of red-black- for a “Gray Pride” flag—celebra- white. Members reminded him ting elders in society (see p. 4). that we have two other major- league franchises. John Schilke heartily endorsed David’s design, favoring versions that omitted the color black and considering gray a “happier” color.

David Ferriday described his quest to find a seamstress to sew his

Max Liberman shares his proposal for Table flags welcome PFA members to Fred Paltridge shows his Blazer pride, a new flag for New South Wales. the evening’s discussion. with Blaze the Trail Cat.

June 2019 Portland Flag Association 3

Flags from the host’s dabblings in fictitious kingdoms overlook the proceedings. Ted Kaye shows the flag of NAVA 28, the 28th annual meeting of the North American Vexillological Association, held in Portland in 1994. Its organiz- ing committee evolved into today’s Portland Flag Association.

Roberta Krogman delights in a refer- ence to a “green flag” (in grayscale!).

Ted Kaye recruited new and re- turning members to NAVA, and described the origins of the PFA in NAVA 28 in 1994 in Portland with a replica meeting flag. David Ferriday waves the U.S. flag to make a point. Ken Dale described his frequent attendance at memorial services at Our next meeting will be hosted Ken Dale reflects on the interment of veterans without families. Willamette National Cemetery for by Ted Kaye on 11 July at his veterans without family members. home in N.W. Portland. He took the Portland Flag Association flag home, the customary task of the next host.

John Schilke ponders the best colors to David Koski experiments with designs Israel Núñez asks why flags are never include in a flag honoring elders. for a “Gray Pride” flag. circular...

4 The Vexilloid Tabloid A “Gray Pride” Flag Honoring Elders

By David Koski advanced age. Such constraints They comprise the original fifteen- often help keep the design process striped flag with a squircle three On a number of occasions my on track. units tall (3/15), along with one stepson has sent me images of 7/15, one 5/13, and one 3/11. flags that he has seen while riding I started with five stripes, using his bicycle through Portland’s gray and white to represent Readers, which do you think would neighborhoods. Knowing that I advancing age as well as wisdom work best flying as a flag? am a flag guy, he asks if I can and a bit of foolishness. I included identify them. In some cases I some black stripes at first, mainly have been able to do so easily, to emphasize that the gray was but sometimes I’ve had to do a gray, but soon discarded them as bit of research. unnecessary and suggestive of The last couple of flags turned out death. I decided to include a spot to be of the “queer pride” variety, of red in the middle to represent most of which are unfamiliar to vitality. me. The research shows that they I started with a square the height usually reflect some kind of gender of a stripe, but thought it a bit identity or preference and have a harsh because I wanted a softer scheme of horizontal stripes. effect. After considering a circle There has been quite a prolifera- (too Japanese) and a cardioid/heart tion of different varieties since the shape (too cute), I settled on a original gay pride flag in 1978— squircle, which is a shape some- the number of stripes vary, often where between a square and a with unusual colors. circle.

Seeing all these cool flags made With the basic scheme in place, I me wonder what kind of pride flag tried different numbers of stripes. I might fly to represent me. Out I liked the variant with fifteen of the blue, it occurred to me that (eight gray, seven white) and a I had recently attained “senior squircle three stripes tall. It seemed citizen” status. While still working, like a good candidate for a flag to I now also get a Social Security be flown by elders, or by those check each month. Was there a showing solidarity with or support flag for old people? I did a web for elders, or by those simply “old search and did not find any exam- at heart”. ples, so I decided that I would design a flag for elders and see if it I presented my process with would fly. examples of the variants I’d tried at the March PFA meeting of the From the start I identified a Portland Flag Association, and number of features and elements some members had suggestions to guide me. The flag should be to test. One thought it might be simple, but with something distinc- stronger with fewer stripes and a tive and memorable to distinguish larger core. it from otherwise similar designs. I wanted to use horizontal stripes. I went back to the drawing board It should be symmetrical both and made a few more variants. Proposals for a “Gray Pride” flag horizontally and vertically. And Perhaps readers would like to honoring elders, with a red squircle I wanted it to evoke the idea of comment on those shown here: amid varying numbers of gray stripes.

June 2019 Portland Flag Association 5 Roundup

Ceremonial flags of the municipalities of Solbiate and Cavallasca (in Como), sent to us by our friends in Italy.

A riff on the U.S. flag occasioned by recent news, including the Trumpian “covfefe” meme, sent to us by our friends in Australia who follow U.S. politics closely.

“Flags of Europe”—This multi-layered vexi-amusement came to us from various sources. Readers, try your hand at interpreting the sometimes obvious, sometimes subtler humor. Our apologies to anyone offended by any of these.

6 The Vexilloid Tabloid The Pro-Abortion Gadsden Flag Variant By Ted Kaye In her on-line store, søciety6, Ms. Recent laws enacted in some U.S. Lesniak offers an extensive array states restricting access to abortion, of merchandise bearing the image coupled with a rightward shift in of the flag. the makeup of the Supreme Court, She is likely not the first to con- have triggered extensive and vocal ceive of this use. On-line images A variant with more primitive art and political responses from pro- can be found of similar flags flying distorting the snake. abortion advocates. at earlier protests. NARAL Pro- Of vexillological interest, they have Choice Ohio describes how activist redesigned the Revolutionary War- Claressa Page of the “Feminist era Gadsden Flag (“Don’t Tread Flag Corps” created a variant in on Me” under a coiled rattlesnake 2016, with sales benefiting Women on yellow) to advance their cause. Have Options–Ohio.

Used since 2009 by “Tea Party” A variant showing a realistic depiction adherents to represent resistance to of the female reproductive system and perceived government interference no snake at all. (into regulatory and economic decisions), the Gadsden Flag has now been repurposed to represent resistance to another form of The “Feminist Flag Corps” of perceived government interference NARAL–Ohio at the state capitol in Columbus in January, 2017. (into reproductive decisions).

Artist Annie Lesniak has created a version displaying a single rattle- Another no-snake variant. snake in the shape of the female reproductive system. The snake is depicted realistically, with threaten- ing fangs and rattle (plus a copy- right symbol). In May, comedian Sarah Silverman tweeted about it, A protester waves an apparently triggering widespread recognition. hand-made variant. Some variants include the grass patch, some have more primitive A pink version combining the two artwork, and some forgo the snake symbols, by artist Jenifer Mokren. altogether. One combines the two Below: a patch with stylized graphics. symbols rather than depicting one in the shape of the other.

The ongoing political controversy and rapid spread of these flags

Artist Annie Lesniak’s version of the suggest that they will remain widely pro-abortion Gadsden Flag variant. used in the coming years.

June 2019 Portland Flag Association 7 Flaggy Map

Collins Flags shows this image of the United States with the flags of each state in that state’s outline. This serves as an indirect argument for simple designs. https://www.collinsflags.com/blog/archives/state-flag-adoption-dates

Flags in School

By Michael Orelove My daughter-in-law, Pam Turlove, teaches at Lakes Elementary in Lacey, Washington.

For her school’s multicultural night, I sent her a number of flags to be used as a backdrop.

In the photo, Pam is standing in front of the flag of Iraq—displayed upside down.

It is easy to make that type of mistake with some flags, including the flag of Portland. Multicultural night at Lakes Elementary School—Lacey, Washington.

8 The Vexilloid Tabloid Farewell, Michael Faul & Chumley

Chumley, the vexi-gorilla (drawn by the late Michael Faul) plays a role in the vexillography of the American Revolution. © 2006 Michael Faul.

Michael Faul, longtime editor of the UK Alas, there is something which At that time, Chumley was mind- Flag Institute’s Flagmaster and enthu- I think you (or one of your ing his own business, looking for siastic Vexilloid Tabloid reader and members) have failed to take into some fruit in a tree. Two Conti- contributor, died on 1 January 2019. account. This refers to the differ- nental soldiers saw him, ordered Five weeks before his death, he wrote us ences between the Grand Union him to come down, and handed a long message, responding to an image Flag of 1776 and the (Betsy Ross) him over to their commanding in the December 2018 issue showing Stars and Stripes of 1777. There officer. At this point it must be Michael Orelove teaching students with has been an important omission stressed that Chumley was a firmly the Continental Colors (“Grand Union” on this matter. Please allow me to British gorilla, lacking any sympa- flag). explain. thy with the conflict then in pro- gress. Michael illustrated his close association The “Grand Union Flag” came with “Chumley, the vexi-gorilla” with into being in 1776. This was He was brought before the Conti- depictions of the primate’s flag adventures before the Declaration of Inde- nental officer, who ordered him to appearing in NAVA News from 1999 pendence, and so only merits the cut the British emblems from the to 2010. They typically explained distinction of being an intermedi- Grand Union Flag. Being loyal to Chumley’s inadvertent involvement in the ate flag. Yes, it was used on land Britain, Chumley refused but, with creation or alteration of flag designs and at sea, but it was never voted the presentation of a bayonet next throughout history. into existence by the colonial to his rump, he recognised the wis- Congress. dom of cooperation. He did as he Michael’s final letter describes one such was told but, when he finished, he incident in detail: In 1777, there was a suggestion to could not help bursting into tears. remove the British emblem and to

replace it with something At this juncture, a colonial officer Hello, “American”, to proclaim the inde- arrived. This officer was a general pendence of the new nation. and outranked the officer who had Good to hear from you again, and The question was, how was the forced Chumley to destroy the flag. thank you very much for the exten- decision made? We now have the He spoke sharply to the officer sive content of the magazine. answer. Continued on next page

June 2019 Portland Flag Association 9 who had made Chumley obey him, Chumley simply watched the pro- once that a circle of stars was the saying that: “It was disgraceful to cession of emblems with total lack perfect emblem to represent the force a fellow to do such a thing!” of interest. They were irrelevant to independent new “states” of the Chumley always remembered this a British gorilla. Then came the North American colonies. Hence, officer with affection. His name accident. The representative of they replaced the British Union was Benedict Arnold. Rhode Island brought an anchor, design, with 13 stars arranged in a the emblem of that colony. As he circle. At this point, representatives from turned around, the fluke of the the rebel colonies arrived. They Please understand, that this is only anchor banged Chumley on the each brought emblems which they so that you will know the truth back of his head. Semi-conscious, wanted included on the flag. No about these events. If you have Chumley slid into a sitting position two were the same. North Caroli- never discussed matters with a under the display. na even brought a bucket of tar! gorilla, this may be difficult for South Carolina wanted peaches on All he could see were stars, swirl- you. Nevertheless, I do accept this the flag. New York wanted an owl. ing around in his semi-conscious- as the only contemporary witness Every colony wanted something ness. He was completely unaware testimony. different, except for two, which of the sudden spurt of excitement Best wishes, both wanted a pine-tree, New among the representatives. They Hampshire and Massachusetts. had seen the stars, and decided at Michael

Pirate Flags in the Caribbean

By Michael Orelove Ahoy maties!

Last February, Kathleen and I took a Caribbean cruise; one port was St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Is- lands. A pirate museum there had artifacts, interactive exhibits, and a gift store where I bought a set of 13 different pirate flags.

The store asserted that the flag images were historically accurate and associated with specific known pirates. Pirate flags as displayed in a museum store in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Although each flag was different they all had the same purpose: to Some pirate flags featured the Note: For the definitive work on this send a message. They announced image of an hourglass, symbolizing subject, see Gauron, Robert S., to anyone who saw the flags that that whoever saw it was running “Fascinating Flags of Plundering Pirates pirates crewed the ship and would out of time. and Profiteering Privateers”, Raven 7, show mercy only to those who 2000 (NAVA). surrendered immediately. Arrr!

10 The Vexilloid Tabloid The Red Flag By John Cartledge [commenting on the party affiliation, is named Larry.) flag quote in the April issue of VT. The song is normally sung to the Red flags first appeared as symbols tune of Lauriger Horatius (known as of political revolt in the 1790s, the German carol O Tannenbaum), after the first French revolution. though Connell had intended it They were flown by protestors to be sung to the tune of a pro- at many uprisings and demonstra- Jacobite anthem, The White Cockade. tions during the 19th century— including the Paris commune of It has six stanzas and a chorus: 1871 and the Haymarket rally in The people’s flag is deepest red, Chicago in 1886. It shrouded oft our martyred dead, Inspired by these and similar 10 Downing Street imagined as And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold, events, an Irish radical journalist decorated for the return of the Their hearts’ blood dyed its ev’ry fold. named Jim Connell (1852–1929) Labour Party. It waved above our infant might, composed the lyrics of The Red Flag gusto by the delegates at the close When all ahead seemed dark as night; in 1889 during the course of a train of its annual conference—to the It witnessed many a deed and vow, journey in south London after evident distaste of some of the We must not change its colour now. attending a lecture on socialism. party’s recent leaders. It is also The song quickly became popular used by the party’s counterparts It well recalls the triumphs past, with the world-wide labour move- in both parts of Ireland. It gives the hope of peace at last; ment, and the leaders of the Rand The banner bright, the symbol plain, miners strike in South Africa went Although the party held a competi- Of human right and human gain. to the gallows singing it in 1922. tion in 1925 to find a replacement, none of the 300 entries was accept- Look ’round, the Frenchman loves its blaze, It has served as the anthem of ed. The anthem was sung by the The sturdy German chants its praise, the British Labour party since its newly elected contingent of Labour In Moscow’s vaults its hymns are sung formation, and is still sung with members of Parliament as they Chicago swells the surging throng. entered the Commons chamber It suits today the weak and base, after the party’s victory in 1945, Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place and it was sung there again in 2006 To cringe before the rich man’s frown, to mark the party’s centenary. And haul the sacred emblem down.

Red flags have occasionally been With heads uncovered swear we all hoisted over Labour-controlled To bear it onward till we fall; city halls. The journal of a Labour- Come dungeons dark or gallows grim, affiliated think tank, the Fabian This song shall be our parting hymn. Society, recently published an image of how the prime minister’s Chorus: residence at 10 Downing Street Then raise the scarlet standard high. might be decorated in event of the Within its shade we’ll live and die, party returning to national office. Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, (The cat, who is government We’ll keep the red flag flying here. Jim Connell, author of The Red Flag. property and therefore has no

June 2019 Portland Flag Association 11 What’s that Flag? What Was that Flag? Answers to the last quiz

By David Ferriday By Tony Burton Identify these seven flags and place These flags not only all bear a red them in order of adoption year. cross on white, on each it is specif- ically the Cross of St. George. Answers in the next issue... Congrats to solvers John Cartledge Bill Neckrock, Michael Orelove, Alderney Wayne Raymond, and Mike Thomas.

Northern Ireland (unofficial)

England

Georgia Sark

City of London Guernsey

12 The Vexilloid Tabloid Portland Flag Miscellany

A car recently parked on N.W. Aspen Artist and photographer JC Findley Ave. shows allegiance to a city and creates digital art. A former military seven states! and civilian pilot, he now works and sells art in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. One of his collections is “Just Flags” with 95 images; among them is the Portland flag.

https://pixels.com/profiles/ jc-findley.html

At Deschutes Brewery in the Pearl District (210 NW 11th Ave.), a floor-to- ceiling mural graces the back area. YTGQ4PT, an Amazon.com vendor, offers many flags for sale at the It depicts various Portland-related $20 price point. themes in the colors of the It apparently believes this to be Portland flag, including the iconic Portland’s design. blue-stripe “river”.

July Meeting

The next meeting of the Portland Flag Association will be at 7 PM, Thursday, 11 July 2019, at the home of Ted Kaye: 2235 NW Aspen Ave., Portland, OR 97210—enter on Belgrave.

See the map at right.

We look forward to seeing those of you who have missed recent meetings and engaging in provo- cative flag-related discussion. Newcomers are welcome!

If you can’t get to the meeting, perhaps you can give the editor something to share with readers. The Vexilloid Tabloid , founded in 1999 by the late John Hood, is published bi-monthly by and for the Portland Flag Association—Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. Find back issues at www.portlandflag.org.

June 2019