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Martin Luther King Jr. (U.S.)

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United States of America

I saw earlier this year a description of the symbolism of what was called the King flag. There was no picture, but a detailed explanation of the significance of the various design elements.

The article I am talking about was in the on-line edition of the St.Louis Post-Dispatch, 8. January 1998. I will quote it in full:

The King flag is full of symbolism

Yvonne Samuel

Here's a look at the significance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. flag that will be used in celebrations nationwide this year:

* The expression on his face in the circle is one of contemplative regret, as if to say: "I have seen the promised land; I may not get there with you."
* The black circle represents the never-ending struggle of African-Americans to achieve freedom and justice.
* The 22 stars represent the 22 times King went to jail fighting for justice and equality. They also represent the students who engaged in sit-ins all over the South. He had said, "Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars" who are the dedicated civil rights workers. King considered other stars in the civil rights movement to be the freedom riders who decided to take a ride for freedom to end segregation. And he said the stars were "the Negroes in Albany, Ga., who decided to straighten their backs up, and when men and women straighten their backs up they are going somewhere, because a man can't ride your back unless it is bent." The stars also were "the Negroes of Birmingham, Ala., who aroused the conscience of this nation and brought into being the Civil Rights Bill." And King said the darker the hour, the brighter they shone.
* The five stripes represent the colors of the whole human race, for whose freedom King sacrificed his life.
* And the green background comes from the 23rd Psalm - "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he restoreth my soul."