Minnesota Changes Main Flag Amid Racism Controversy, "Looks Like Somalia's Flag"

Republicans, "Hasty Decision... Must Put to Resident Vote"

The state of Minnesota in the United States is set to completely replace its official state seal and the state flag bearing the seal, both of which have been subjects of racial controversy.

New Flag and Seal Launched After 131 Years: "Reflecting Minnesota's History, Resources, and Culture"

The newly changed Minnesota state flag (left) and the Somalia national flag (right)

On the 4th (local time), local media reported that the 'State Emblem Redesign Committee' (SERC) approved and finalized the design of the new flag and seal earlier this week with an 11 to 1 vote, following a public submission process. The committee stated that the new designs aim to accurately and respectfully reflect the shared history, resources, and diverse cultural communities of Minnesota. The new flag features a dark blue background shaped like the map of Minnesota, with a white star with eight points on the left side, and a solid sky-blue color on the right side.

SERC explained that the white star is derived from Minnesota’s motto, "Star of the North," referencing its border with Canada. Minnesota has long claimed the nickname "The North Star State" as a symbol of being a true guide. The solid sky-blue section represents the Mississippi River, which originates in Minnesota and flows north to south across the continent.

The new official seal of Minnesota, USA, changed for the first time in 166 years.
[Image source: Provided by the Minnesota State Symbols Redesign Committee]

The new seal depicts the loon, a symbolic water bird of Minnesota, also known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," and includes the phrase "Mni Sota Makoce," which is Dakota language?the origin of the name Minnesota.

If the state legislature does not exercise its veto power, the new flag and seal will automatically take effect on April 1, the 166th anniversary of Minnesota’s founding.

Existing Flag and Seal Have Racial Controversies... New Designs Also Face Criticism

The flag of Minnesota, USA, is being retired after 166 years.
[Image source: Screenshot from the Minnesota Department of Administration website · Yonhap News]

The existing Minnesota state seal and flag depict a white settler plowing a field and a Native American riding a horse against a backdrop of mountains, fields, and lakes at sunset, with the French phrase "L'etoile du nord" meaning "The North Star."

However, this imagery has been criticized for obscuring the history of Native American oppression by white settlers, with interpretations suggesting that "the Native Americans lost the conflict and left their land, while the white settlers remained victorious." Additionally, the complexity of the design made it difficult for children to draw the state seal and flag, which was also a concern.

The seal of Minnesota, USA, is being retired after 166 years.
[Image source: Wikipedia·Yonhap News]

Nonetheless, some have expressed dissatisfaction that Minnesota’s new flag resembles the flags of Somalia and Puntland, regions in Africa. Minnesota has a high population of Somali immigrants. There are also claims that including Native American language on the seal violates state law, which prohibits using symbols or expressions representing a single community or individual in state emblems.

Some Republican figures argue that the decision to change the state seal and flag was made too hastily and advocate for a public referendum on the matter. However, the Democratic-majority legislature does not agree with this position.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.