I read with interest an article last week on Minnesota’s proposal for a new state flag.

It’s clear that the designer and a committee have put a great deal of careful thought into creating a design that represents the state. It’s intended to celebrate both its identity and its diversity.

There’s something special about a flag. It’s something foot soldiers used to carry into battle. The state flag flies next to the national Stars and Stripes above our courthouses, schools and parks.

I appreciate the work of the committee. I think it’s good to have a new flag that reflects Minnesota in the 21st century. That state has changed greatly since the old flag was created.

My only concern is the need for more public awareness between now and the May 11 statewide flag dedication. Most people know that we’re changing the flag, but don’t know how or why it’s being done.

If you walked into a bar and asked a group of people what they’ve heard about the new flag, you’d probably get a two-word answer from many people. Not much.

Some people might question why we aren’t going to vote on the flag, why we aren’t going to have a campaign for it and maybe a campaign against it and then let the voters decide.

The reason is that state law doesn’t call for a vote. Leaders only have to commission a new flag and form a steering committee to work with details. That’s what they did.

Even though there won’t be a vote, it’s still a good thing to have awareness activities. It needs to involve more than just the Internet. Even in the 21st century an organization can’t simply post on a website and say it’s informed the public. People might not find it.

Public information meetings throughout the state seem like a good idea. I’d attend a meeting in Marshall. I’d go as an interested citizen even if I wasn’t covering it for the paper.

Some people might question the need for information meetings. They might say that the flag is not the state’s most important issue.

In some ways it’s not. Fiscally there are many other things that cost more money and take more of a planning process.

In other ways the flag is very important. It’s part of how we see ourselves. It symbolizes our history and our culture.

Openness in government is very important. People need to have opportunities to get involved in decision making processes. It shouldn’t be left to interest groups who lobby lawmakers to get on their bandwagon.

Hopefully the flag planning and the public input that’s been gathered leads to a new flag that will endure over the long term. It wouldn’t be good if someone comes along in 10 or 15 years with an idea to change it again. It should endure for at least 50 years.

Minnesota isn’t the first state to have flag questions. All across the South there’s been a 21st century question about the Confederate flag.

That’s a situation where any positive meaning behind the Confederate flag has taken a back seat to its negative connotations. Over the years it’s turned into a symbol of racism and oppression. Many people, including Southerners, believe the best places for it are museums.

Likewise Minnesota is deciding let its current flag fade into the past. Society slowly changes in ways that add up as the years go by. Sometimes our symbols also need to change.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and

contributor to the Marshall Independent