Mississippi Flag Timeline Design

Role:  Lead of the Interactive Team

Duration: 14 weeks 

Tools: Adobe XD, Indesign, Photoshop 

Context

Massachusetts Legislature is now going forward with a state flag change proposal, they have been proposing this for years and now is getting the chance again to push their thoughts once again. To aid their upcoming congress meetings, Lesley community Design studio was asked to prepare documents and additional resources to help push the vote. 

Team Objective

To conduct research on the Mississippi Flag change process that occurred in 2020 and develop ideas on how to formulate a timeline suitable for the Massachusetts board of legislatures. 

Audience

Massachussetts Legislators // age 30 - 60

Research 

Why Massachusetts needs to change their flag

Currently Massachusetts flag depicts a Native American with a sword displayed over his figure. The imagery is harmful and disturbing to most as well as the references for the components of its design.

The sword itself is modeled after the same broadsword used by Myles Standish’s broadsword. Standish was a commander that was known for killing Native Americans. The model of the figure itself was taken from two individuals, the head belonging to Thomas Little Shell, a Chippewa Chief, and the body belonging to the remains that were dug up in Winthrop. The pointed down arrow also indicates a pacified Native person.

The motto contained on the flag reads “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam” Which translates to “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”

The name of Massachusetts comes from a tribe itself. The imagery and motto makes this flag inappropriate and disrespectful to the land that we inhibit. And thus is why we need to right our wrong and change it.

Why Mississippi changed their flag

Mississippi went through the flag change process for their state due to the confederate imagery in their existing flag. There had been a number of introductions to getting the bill passed prior to 2020, but they had all been unsuccessful.

Due to the events in 2020, the flag and its imagery held a spotlight in the public’s eye and the people knew that it had to be changed. As of right now, a new flag has been established and it is known as The “In God We Trust” Flag, otherwise known as the new Magnolia. 

How displaying the events of Mississippi Flag timeline matters
Mississippi was in a similar position as Massachusetts, the imagery and just overall symbolism of their flag was offensive and it caused racism and hate. The flag was petition and billed to be changed several times, by looking at their events in full it would give the legislature board more information of how the process would continue if the bill for change were to be approved.

It would highlight important events that acted as a catalyst for the change as well as the decisions that went into the commission council. It would act as a guide in how this process and commission can take form in Massachusetts and what to avoid.

Important Conversations had that led the timeline

Stuart Rockoff

Executive Director 

Mississippi Humanities Council 

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Katie Blount 

Director Mississippi Department of Archives and History 

Coordinator of the Mississippi Flag Commission 

What we gained from those conversations 

• Recommendations for a state’s flag change commission

• Fundamental figures and catalyst events in the process

• Insights on what occurred during their entry process

Design Spread

Prototype

Evaluation 

The presentation meeting contained my peers, the lead professor on the project, Rick Rawlins, Senator Jason Lewis and his office. When it was concluded, it was decided by the senator and his team that the timeline would be a stand alone piece and it would be distributed to the legislature before the other documents. 

Reflection

This project taught me multiple valuable ideals and processes. As it focused on presenting sensitive information, it taught me how important it is to be non biased when making information, but finding the right level of respect when presenting it. Lastly, one of the major takeaways was how to team build and manage our activities efficiently.