Students in History 7 used design to explore local history and government during an assignment tasking them with reimagining the Massachusetts state flag. The project comes as Massachusetts is nearing the end of a months-long search for a new state flag, an initiative launched in recognition of the current flag’s controversial depiction of Indigenous stereotypes.
The value of bridging this current event and our local history with design is that it mirrors the real word challenge of updating a state flag. How do you represent the millions of people of Massachusetts? Our history? Our landmarks?
MS History teachers Megan Wu Macomber and Leslie Meahl
Prior to their redesigns, students studied the current Massachusetts flag and its symbology, including how it perpetuates Indigenous stereotypes. As part of a larger unit centered around Indigenous history, the flag redesign project connected to earlier lessons on the Wampanoag Nation, language revitalization, and various myths surrounding Christopher Columbus.
Students approached the design process by considering how they could communicate their unique perspectives on Massachusetts visually. Flag designs varied greatly, leveraging state iconography such as mayflowers and black bears, Indigenous symbols such as arrowheads and feathers, and signs of personal interest such as sports mascots. “I definitely wanted to include some symbolism that was lost with the first flag,” says Owen Littlefield ’31. “I wanted to keep it recognizable with symbols and our modern identity.”
I’m going to remember this project as a time where I was able to express my take on Massachusetts and its symbolism. What’s going to stick with me was the freedom we were allowed with this project.
Owen Littlefield '31
Mirroring the work of the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Commission, students had a chance to study one another’s designs and vote for their favorites. Eva Bachman ’31, designer of the winning flag, got creative in combining various symbols to tell the story of Massachusetts. “I was thinking about how Massachusetts is the sixth state to join America, the Ingenious people, the Mayflower, and everything that represents Mass,” Eva shares. “I really like that we got to see all the new flag designs.”
We really enjoyed seeing students face the challenge of picking what to put on their flags so that they felt authentic to them. . . We hope students understand the context of why flags might be changed and how to identify stereotypical and racist symbols of Indigenous people.
MS History teachers Megan Wu Macomber and Leslie Meahl
By connecting an inquiry into Indigenous history with the ongoing efforts to redesign the Massachusetts state flag, students gained a deeper understanding of how history is represented–and misrepresented–in everyday life. Furthermore, the project revealed how design and symbology can shape a people’s shared identity.
The flags created during this assignment are currently on display on the second floor of the Middle School wing.