"A SPECIAL COMMISSION that spent close to three years analyzing the state seal and motto concluded its work on Tuesday by urging the Legislature to make a change while offering no specific recommendations on what that change should be.The current seal features an image of a Native American holding a bow and arrow and a sword hanging over his head. The Latin motto translates as: “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”The special commission, created in the aftermath of the nationwide reckoning in 2020 over the symbols and names that harken to institutional racism, said it will forward its final report to the Legislature on Wednesday and urge lawmakers to create a second commission to actually hire a designer and come up with a final motto and seal incorporating symbols and terms that are aspirational and inclusive of diverse perspectives.Although the commission raised several possibilities for the seal and motto, the panel punted a decision to the Legislature. How that decision will be made is unclear at the moment."
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, November 16, 2023
CommonWealth Beacon: "State seal and motto commission punts to Legislature"
Friday, August 25, 2023
Worth catching your attention to, this is important!
Help design new MA state seal: Survey seeks input.A governor-appointed commission (including a designee from @masscultural) is gathering public feedback on a new seal and motto for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Please share your thoughts by completing their survey by Sept. 27, 2023.
Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Boston Globe: "What should be on the Massachusetts state flag? Readers weigh in"
"Massachusetts is reexamining its state seal and motto — and by extension the state flag — after a special commission voted unanimously in May to recommend replacing both. The decision was seen as a win for activists and members of the state’s Indigenous population, who have long objected to the current image, which depicts a Native American man standing before a blue shield, a bow in one hand and a downward pointing arrow in the other. Above him is a broadsword brandished by an upraised arm; below him is the Latin motto, which translates to “By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.”But as reported in August, divisions still existed among the 19-member volunteer commission. One Indigenous member said he regretted his vote and worried that an important piece of history would be lost should the state seal be replaced."
Boston Globe: "What should be on the Massachusetts state flag? Readers weigh in" |
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Town Council - Sep 7, 2022 - video replay available via YouTube
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Change the Mass Flag information session - 06/21/22 (audio)
FM #819 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 819 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares the information session held at the Franklin Public Library on the possible change to the Commonwealth of MA seal and flag. The session was held Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Kathleen Trefethen, a local supporter of the Change the Mass Flag movement introduces organization founder David Detmold who then walks through a few slides depicting some of the changes to the seal & flag over the years before 1898. The current image has not changed since then.
The information session runs about 57 minutes. Let’s listen to the discussion and some of the pros/cons on this topic.
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PDF of information sheet https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s7_9prafUIiWB3gXgoynNpoad0CieMD3/view?usp=sharing
Change the MA Flag web page - https://changethemassflag.com/
Change the MA Flag - history https://changethemassflag.com/history/
A copy of the flyer for the event at the Library: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Yn1C3OK4z-c4zhlVbEgMmKZJJJWvpVm/view?usp=sharing
There is a formal commission to make recommendations that coincidentally met earlier on Tuesday. The recording of that is available -> https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4311
Alan Earl’s Franklin Observer recap of the session https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/84872/groups-says-now-time-change-state-flag
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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current state seal/flag image and origination of elements it contains |
David Detmold with one version of the seal/flag |
Tuesday, June 7, 2022
Change the Mass Flag informational meeting scheduled for Jun 21 - 7 PM
We are currently preparing to present this Resolution in Support of Changing the MA Flag to Franklin Town Council by providing education about the history of the development of the current Flag, Seal, and Motto, and of the efforts to create a flag and seal that stands for peace, justice, equality, and inclusion. We are also acquiring Franklin resident signatures on a petition in support of the changes.
Below are websites that provide more background information:
Thank you,
Kathy Trefethen 781-789-9974
Stephen Derdiarian
Note: there is a Special Commission chartered at the state level to do this. they have a virtual hearing June 7th https://malegislature.gov/Commissions/Detail/565/Hearings
Commonwealth of MA state seal |
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Boston Globe: Ghost kitchens, Seal update (or lack thereof)
"Boston parking lots are turning into ‘ghost kitchen’ delivery hubs"
"The first time DoorDash delivery driver Rey Reyes arrived to pick up an order from a restaurant named Fuku in South Boston, he was surprised to find a large trailer in the back of a parking lot.He was waiting on a spicy fried chicken sandwich with a side of waffle fries, but the trailer was also serving up boneless wings from Wings & Things, vegetable dumplings from Wow Bao, or grilled cheese from MrBeast Burger.All from the same commercial kitchen inside the trailer, at the same address, and with no actual restaurant in sight."
"Nearly a year later, panel rethinking Massachusetts’ state seal is behind schedule and still shorthanded"
"Since its creation 46 weeks ago, a state commission tasked with recommending changes to Massachusetts’ controversial state seal has met twice. It remains short one appointee, and a state legislator has argued it needs a staff and a budget, neither of which exists. A deadline to submit a report came and went nearly two months ago.The product of decades of advocacy, the Special Commission Relative to the Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth has been bogged down by Beacon Hill’s familiar morass of bureaucratic hurdles, all while its members wrestle with lingering questions over its mission.The circumstances have complicated not just when the panel will produce a new vision for Massachusetts’ official symbol but exactly what it will deliver."
JOHN TLUMACKI/GLOBE STAFF |
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Senate Approves Commission to Revise or Redesign Massachusetts Seal and Motto
- Five members appointed by the Commission on Indian Affairs who are descendants of tribes with a historical presence in the commonwealth;
- Four members appointed by the governor with relevant cultural and historical expertise;
- The executive director of the Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs or a designee;
- The executive director of the Massachusetts Historical Commission or a designee;
- The executive director of the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities or a designee;
- The executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council or a designee; and
- The House and Senate chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory; Oversight.