Why are there so many flags that stand for the specific groups of the community?
There are, however, many flags recognized among the LGBTQ+ community to symbolize the wide range of sexual orientations and gender identities. *The Women’s March is meant to be intersectional and include women of all races, religions, sexualities-we do not agree with nor support the allegations of the national Women’s March organization’s antisemitism.We all know the famous rainbow flag that represents gay pride. To activate around things that matter with us, sign up for our emails here. What important moments in history have we missed in the history of the raised fist? What has this symbol come to mean to you? We open our hands in the service and support of others, we open our hands to hard work, we open our hands because sometimes we need help ourselves, we open our hands in celebration of the community that surrounds us… We choose the symbolism (and physical action) of open hands, as this best represents our feelings on remaining present in meaningful conversation and fostering community. Like so many things in our society, the imagery and language of paradigm shifts and revolution is fluid.Īs an agency and as human beings, we honor the symbolism you are drawn to as it helps inform and communicate the work that you are doing for the community. We find the cultural context around this social symbol both interesting and relevant. Open Hands vs Clenched Fist? It's the TAKING ACTION That Counts. We must raise our hands and voices until we force those who are blind to these injustices to acknowledge and protect us.” It says "We can no longer watch from the sidelines what is happening in our nation. It stands as a symbol of resistance and defiance. Reclaiming the Clenched Fist: Black Lives Matter 2020Īfter the horrific death of George Floyd and countless other black men and women at the hands of the police, Black Lives Matterhas brought the raised fist back to the forefront. It was no longer a rally cry for the oppressed, but for those oppressing. It was no longer fighting for, but fighting against. While the meaning of unity and solidarity has remained at the core, the reason for the solidarity had changed-it was no longer inclusive, but exclusive. Over the last few years, the fist has garnered attention for its co-opted use by atypical individuals and groups-namely white nationalists at home and abroad.
“I wanted to do something so powerful that it would reach the ends of the earth, and yet still be nonviolent,” Carlos explained. “We had to be seen because we couldn’t be heard,” said Smith. When Smith and Carlos won gold and bronze respectively in the 200m dash, they raised their fists, protesting racism and injustice on the world stage.
American track athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, were the first two athletes to join as they viewed the games as a critical platform to speak out from for better treatment of black athletes and black people around the world. Harry Edwards established his own organization, later becoming the Olympic project for Human Rights, whose goal was to protest racial segregation.
Months prior to the event, the United States was reeling from the assassination of Rev. The 1968 Olympics in Mexico City became the site of one of the most highly publicized (and criticized) uses of the raised fist.