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As a designer I’m very conscious of the power of symbols. A flag is flown to show alliance to the country or political affiliation signified by the flag. The Confederate flag is not a national flag, though it has become known as a symbol of the Southern United States and is used by the Rockabilly subculture to evoke the ‘rebelliousness’ of the South. Unfortunately one of the objectives of the Rebels of the American South was to keep black people enslaved. Far right-wing political activists have also been known to use the Confederate flag as a symbol of their ideology. 

The Christchurch Mosque massacre brutally revealed that white supremacist hate groups are part of New Zealand life. I tried to deal with some of my feelings about the massacre by starting correspondence with several Americana and vintage car themed events regarding the ubiquitous Confederate flags that are flown at these events, sold as parade decorations, and painted or flown on vehicles. I was concerned how people who had been affected by hate crimes such as the massacre might feel if they attended a community event and saw the confederate flag flown there. 

I don’t believe that people in vintage communities are any more racist or Islamophobic than the general population, but I do believe being unable to contemplate what this flag might represent to marginalised communities is a blind spot that needs addressing. Citing ‘vintage authenticity’ doesn’t excuse actions that are unacceptable in 2019. I believe you can honour the past authentically without causing hurt to people in the present. It concerns me that casually flying the symbols of hate groups might make hate groups think that we condone their actions. 

This poster is a transcript with two events organisers, who responded to my request for information and action very differently. Certain personally identifying details are redacted as my purpose isn’t to publically attack the organisers of these events.