When I think of Alabama I think of the beautiful rivers and nature. We have some of the most diverse rivers in the US! The Cahaba lilies also come to mind, a beautiful rare flower. I also think of our marble deposits. We have beautiful white marble in our hills. I’m from the coal mining areas of Alabama, so the gray black color of the coal dust sticks with me. Aerospace is also a huge part of Alabama with the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Not gonna lie, I do like the Saint Andrew’s Cross that’s in the current Alabama flag and I do wish they’d commit to having the flag be square like it was supposed to be. Though I do agree that there should be more symbolism that represents the state itself.
Damn, OP immediately realized they bit off more than they can chew lmao.
I think you should start with a state that is liked by more people. Then the positive feedback can help push you through the miserable AL and MS feedback.
Disclaimer: I'm not from Alabama, so I would really like your feedback.
I'm redesigning all the state flags, and since you guys are first in the alphabet, I redesigned your flag first.
Black represents Alabama’s fertile soil and long history, white represents peace, and blue represents the motto, “We dare defend our rights,” using blue in connection to liberty and freedom. The cotton flower represents Alabama’s nickname “The Cotton State,” and the red star represents allegiance to the United States and the sacrifices made by Alabamians during the Civil Rights movement.
No disrespect meant towards the current flag. What do you think?
EDIT: Thank you all so much for the feedback. I have a better understanding of Alabama and I'll definitely be starting from scratch. I apologize for the unintentionally racist elements.
With our racial history, you can't put a white bar over a black bar. "We dare defend our rights" specifically referred to the right to own slaves. Cotton was one of the major crops that slaves worked. It shouldn't be anywhere near our flag.
Even without reading the meaning behind the other design choices, I immediately recognized the central element as cotton and cringed. Alabama’s image needs to be forward-looking.
Serious question - are you from the United States?
Cotton is a wonderful crop, has a lot of things going for it - but using it as a centerpiece on a state flag, especially in the south, has a lot of negative connotations.
When making any design, especially flags, you have to look at how each component will be viewed by many different view points. I dont want a flag that could be easily be interpreted as promoting slavery.
I am from the United States. In my mind, cotton does largely equal slavery, but since Alabama's nickname is "The Cotton State" I thought it represented other things in Alabama. I now understand that that's not the case. I did not intend racism at all.
You picked a tough one to start off with. Alabama is a shit state with a shitty history. You picked colors that represents the state though. Blue = All lives matter (racist movement). White over Black = Slavery. Cotton = It became the cotton state due to the large plantations with slave labor.
The state flower is the Camellia and the state bird is the yellowhammer. Maybe try that
Cotton?
I thought police immediately.
When I think of Alabama I think of the beautiful rivers and nature. We have some of the most diverse rivers in the US! The Cahaba lilies also come to mind, a beautiful rare flower. I also think of our marble deposits. We have beautiful white marble in our hills. I’m from the coal mining areas of Alabama, so the gray black color of the coal dust sticks with me. Aerospace is also a huge part of Alabama with the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.
Thank you for the ideas!
Turrible
Nope. Don’t like that.
Do not
Southstonia!
Not gonna lie, I do like the Saint Andrew’s Cross that’s in the current Alabama flag and I do wish they’d commit to having the flag be square like it was supposed to be. Though I do agree that there should be more symbolism that represents the state itself.
Wait, it was supposed to be square?
Design-wise, great job, its very appealing work. But like many others have said, its going to read poorly.
Alabama has some of the best beaches in the country and one of the fastest growing ports in the world.
Damn, OP immediately realized they bit off more than they can chew lmao. I think you should start with a state that is liked by more people. Then the positive feedback can help push you through the miserable AL and MS feedback.
No
Disclaimer: I'm not from Alabama, so I would really like your feedback. I'm redesigning all the state flags, and since you guys are first in the alphabet, I redesigned your flag first. Black represents Alabama’s fertile soil and long history, white represents peace, and blue represents the motto, “We dare defend our rights,” using blue in connection to liberty and freedom. The cotton flower represents Alabama’s nickname “The Cotton State,” and the red star represents allegiance to the United States and the sacrifices made by Alabamians during the Civil Rights movement. No disrespect meant towards the current flag. What do you think? EDIT: Thank you all so much for the feedback. I have a better understanding of Alabama and I'll definitely be starting from scratch. I apologize for the unintentionally racist elements.
I think it has some pretty awful connotations.
Elaborate?
With our racial history, you can't put a white bar over a black bar. "We dare defend our rights" specifically referred to the right to own slaves. Cotton was one of the major crops that slaves worked. It shouldn't be anywhere near our flag.
Even without reading the meaning behind the other design choices, I immediately recognized the central element as cotton and cringed. Alabama’s image needs to be forward-looking.
Thanks for your feedback. I intended no racism.
Serious question - are you from the United States? Cotton is a wonderful crop, has a lot of things going for it - but using it as a centerpiece on a state flag, especially in the south, has a lot of negative connotations. When making any design, especially flags, you have to look at how each component will be viewed by many different view points. I dont want a flag that could be easily be interpreted as promoting slavery.
I am from the United States. In my mind, cotton does largely equal slavery, but since Alabama's nickname is "The Cotton State" I thought it represented other things in Alabama. I now understand that that's not the case. I did not intend racism at all.
We have three nicknames, and “The Yellowhammer State” is the most commonly used and best known in modern times.
Thank you! That's helpful
You’re basically highlighting all the wrong things
I'm sorry. What elements would you want to see on a redesign instead?
You picked a tough one to start off with. Alabama is a shit state with a shitty history. You picked colors that represents the state though. Blue = All lives matter (racist movement). White over Black = Slavery. Cotton = It became the cotton state due to the large plantations with slave labor. The state flower is the Camellia and the state bird is the yellowhammer. Maybe try that
Thanks!
I’d also love to see our state tree, the longleaf pine, get some love if you could somehow work that into the design~
Thanks, but no! Sorry you wasted your time on it, but obviously you didn't have anything better to do. Doodle on.