As with most things of a ~srs~ nature, it is always good to get an expert opinion. And today noted flag expert today reiterated what we all had already been thinking about the government’s liberal use of the Australian flag.
Like, Tony Abbott,
You’ve got a stiffy for seeing the Union Jack on 100% spun polyester.
Tony Burton – secretary of the Flag Society of Australia Inc, Editor of their journal Crux Australis and author of a soon to be released book on flag design – is a fan of flags. He also had a hand in organised this year’s Sydney Flag Conference (The 26th International Congress of Vexillology) ((Vexillology is the scientific study of flags and related emblems)).
But when asked about their increase in public appearances he said: “I think Tone should tone it down.”
He continued by saying he thinks it “strange when politicians feel they need to prove their superior claim to patriotism by having … an infinitude of flags behind them.”
Not to kink-shame Abbott for his feva for the flag flava, but anyone with a basic comprehension of the politics of patriotism can identify the aims of overt nationalistic displays teamed with announcements surrounding national security.
Any student of history, human living in the Middle East or Muslim living in Australia will know all too well the response such gestures invoke. And as the Guardian‘s research shows:
It appears the more racist the announcement, the more flags Tony Abbott uses… #AusPol pic.twitter.com/WEwKMlpusd
— Kiera (@KieraGorden) March 3, 2015
Also in town for Sydney’s first flag conference hosting gig, will be ‘Britain’s chief vexillologist’ Graham Bartram, who defended our politicians’ flair for the dramatic. “Politicians are showmen,” he said. “Maybe he just feels he want something a little more exciting behind him than a boring grey wall.”
