THE COMPANION FLAG IDEA
When asked “How can you make another man do good?” Mahatma Gandhi is said to have replied, “You cannot make another man do good. You can only create the conditions under which he will choose to do good.”
Imagine a simple, grassroots idea gaining momentum worldwide: people from all walks of life adding to the world’s symbolic landscape a new flag displayed below our existing flags.
Its purpose? To confirm and normalize throughout the world an active public awareness of the following reality: that while we humans proudly display flags symbolizing our diverse national, historical, religious, and cultural affiliations, we must always remember our intrinsic humanity, as well—all that we share, even with our differences. Our concern for the safety and happiness of loved ones, for example; our desire for health and knowledge; our dependence on the Earth’s bounty; our shared susceptibilities to pain and pleasure, illness and injury; and our desire, starting early in life, to feel safe and ‘at home in the world.’ It is only by actively seeing in others one or more of their human differences and one or more of their human “samenesses” that we see them completely.
The “Companion Flag” is designed to complement, not clash with or detract from the beauty and significance of the flags flying above it. It’s a simple white flag featuring in each case a single stripe of color across the top that matches any color appearing in the host flag above—a visual nod to their companionship on the pole. (For a third-party perspective, click here.)
Taking the “companion flag idea” at face value, for those who fly flags at home or do so for governments, schools, businesses, or other organizations, this transformative idea presents two paths: (1) Adopt and fly the companion flag below your existing flags; or (2) Decline the companion flag and continue flying flags strictly to emphasize our cherished national, regional or group distinctiveness and separation from other people around the globe.
The question for the reader is: Which of these practices is more likely to foster in the world’s children and future generations an inclination towards others marked by fellow feeling, patience, acceptance, compassionate regard, and (most importantly) a preference for non-violent conflict resolution whenever possible?
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This idea is non-proprietary—a bottom-up action plan meant to be considered, deliberated over, and ultimately (if approved) implemented one person, one household, one organization, business, or government at a time. The Companion Flag idea is not the product of, nor is it associated with, any political, religious, cultural, or commercial entity or ideology.
The flag is also non-proprietary. Anyone anywhere is free to make Companion Flags for personal use or to sell and distribute to others. The same applies to Companion Flag interpretive signs, and other materials that may relate to or mention the Companion Flag or the Companion Flag idea. There is only one proviso: that all Companion Flags and the optional interpretive sign suggested below must be produced and sold strictly on a non-exclusive (public domain) basis.
For flag specifications and sign details, or for help figuring out where and how best to order them, please see below or contact me at your convenience.
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Do you agree with Gandhi’s logic? —That, generally speaking, we humans cannot make other people do good; we can only create the conditions under which they will choose to do good?
If so, do you agree with me and others that introducing and flying a quiet, dignified “companion flag” to actuate and normalize public awareness of all that we humans have and experience in common, no matter who we are or where we live, notwithstanding our many differences, without denying—and this is the key—without denying, or denigrating in any way the importance of those differences, or interfering with the flags that honor and celebrate them… that this simple step would be a paradigm example of creating a new condition under which others will choose to do good?
If so, do you want to be part of this historic change?—a leader or facilitator in your neighborhood perhaps, or your school, club, business, community organization, local government, etc.—introducing and deliberating with others this timely “upgrade” to the world’s symbolic landscape?
“I learnt of this from my childhood buddy Amos Akwabi of Nairobi Kenya. He has done such a marvelous job in our local schools and has requested me to join him in this noble mission. There is nothing as hard as trying to stop and idea whose time has come. Companion Flag is such an idea.”
Eric
Nairobi, Kenya
“What an honor to be an Ambassador of the Companion Flag in Costa Rica. Universidad De La Salle in San José became the first institution to fly the Companion Flag in Central America. It is not so difficult to imagine the Companion Flag flown around the wold—a universal reminder of all that human beings have in common.”
Alberto
San José, Costa Rica
“The Companion Flag is a wonderful idea. The growing number of ambassadors is encouraging and heartwarming.”
Karen
Haifa, Israel
“CF is a precious treasure for me which I was yearning for throughout my life. I do appreciate this organization and try to spread the idea to everyone: family, friends, neighbours, etc.”
Dilnoza
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
“I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the website and learning about the Companion Flag. I am a recent graduate of Antioch University Seattle, I plan to tell people about the flag and spread this message of shared humanity. It is an excellent concept.”
Melissa
Seattle, WA USA
“It feels good when the idea of Companion Flag spreads out in Japan.”
Hiroya
Sapporo, Japan
“The more I travel, the more I am convinced how much we need the Companion Flag as a symbol to celebrate humanity.”
Tijana
Reading, England
“The Companion Flag Project is powerful because it fills a need this world so desperately needs right now—a real understanding of the holistic nature of the human race and how we need to change our thinking.”
Karrie
Dhaka, Bangladesh
THE COMPANION FLAG
INTERPRETIVE SIGN
(Suggested)
• English •
Coming soon:
• Flag sewing specification sheets
• Third party purchasing options
• Action step ideas and alternatives
• Reader questions and comments
. . .and more
Contact us!
Your ideas, feedback, and questions are welcome, and are likely to help others better understand and evaluate the Companion Flag Idea.
Write to us at:
info [at] companionflag [dot] com
