deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

Alden Jencks wrote a brilliant article in The Vexilloid Tabloid, Issue 117 (The newsletter of the Portland Flag Association) concerning how ‘Bad Bunny’ could have been making some important statements about his native, Puerto Rico, and flags.

Ocasio, aka Bad Bunny, burst onto our TV screens during the half time of the Super Bowl. It was a powerful energetic show that had millions talking. Even if us non-Spanish speaking people couldn’t understand it, we all caught the exact meaning and love behind it all. It had something for everyone. Even us flag nerds.

Jencks pointed out what us ‘Vexos’ were thinking: ‘That flag he is holding is not exactly the same as the current flag of Puerto Rico’, (and the one I am flying today.). The field of blue in the left corner with the star in the middle is not the same shade (Pantone). [Search: Pantone Colors.net to see the official chart for colors].

…’I know, I know, who could get excited about a slight color change in something like a flag? Couldn’t it be just some difference in printing of colors on a piece of cloth? Nope. When you study the design and symbolism of something you ask more questions.

Alden Jencks points out:

“In a show which can hardly be

characterized by its subtlety, one

detail might have escaped the

notice of many of its 128 million

viewers—to wit: Señor Bunny

carried and brandished the pre-

1952, pre-Commonwealth flag of

Puerto Rico. That is to say, a

banner featuring light, celestial blue

surrounding the single white star,

rather than the darker blue of the

present flag, with its navy-blue

echo of Old Glory.”

“The flag of Puerto Rico was designed in 1895 to promote the ideal of Puerto Rican independence from Spain. It consists of five alternate red and white horizontal stripes with a single white five-pointed star resting in a blue triangle. 

The three red strips symbolized the blood from the brave warriors, the two white stripes victory and peace after obtaining indepence, blue the sky and sea and the white star is the island. The design is the same as the Cuban flag, but with the colors inverted.

When Puerto Rico became an American territory, the Puerto Rican flag was outlawed until 1952.”

“Then, in 1952 when Puerto Rico became a commonwealth, the flag was officially adopted, but it symbolism was altered to distance the flag from its history, along the blue, it was changed to a darker tone to make it similar to the American flag.”

The plot thickens. Bad Bunny invited Ricky Martin to his show to sing Bunny’s song, “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawai”. This is a song about the difficulties Hawaii has experienced since it became a state. The Bunny seems to be heavily saying, be careful Puerto Rico thinking becoming an official state will solve all of your problems.

Jencks goes on to say,

“Bad Bunny’s alternate flag seems

to challenge his fellow islanders

and all the rest of his fellow

Americans to engage in some deep

soul-searching. What should, after

all, the political, cultural and

linguistic status of Puerto Rico be?”

In the heartwarming conclusion to the half time show, Bad Bunny leads a parade of flags from all of the countries in North and South America. He finishing saying, “God Bless all of the Americas”. A strong loving message.

Addendum

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/05f6ef6e-f818-4abe-a322-b7bdbf9734ca