For the record

My state legislature voted this year to accept a new flag design. Which is great, because we have been one of those states with the seal on a navy blue background. Like 25 other state flags. 

But, some people aren't really keen on this and this past week I heard someone say basically that changing the flag was taking away our history. Now, I'm not a historian but I am an archivist and my life is historical records. So I feel a bit compelled to set the record straight.

First, our state flag has changed about 10 times in the last 100 years and in it's current iteration has only been around since 2011. So, what history are we saving? Because all the documentation about the flag? Not in the flag. And the history of the flag, also not discernible from the flag. Neither is the history of the state. It's okay that you like the flag, but is it history?*

Also, history is what happened, by a certain definition. It's in the past, it's gone. The only way we know about it is through the historical record (which includes more than paper!!). And the historical record is found in archives**. Which are committed to preserving the historical record in perpetuity. So, if we change the flag, it's okay. Our history still exists. You'd have to also have some arsonists on hand (and most archives have good fire suppressant systems) or some strings with the universe to cause some acts of God or something to get rid of history. 

Now, I will grant that the loss of the flag will be a lost of something tied to people's personal history. Totally get that. But you could argue that it is the same thing as getting rid of a favorite toy from your childhood. Which, there are probably some people who would consider that as erasing history***. Nostalgia is a powerful factor, completely understandable, and I think it is a legitimate thing to bring up. But it's not history, if my reasoning is on track.  

Again, I'm probably just sensitive about this because I am an archivist and most people don't know we exist. But now you do and I hope that it helps when things change around you and you feel like you're losing pieces of yourself. History isn't erased that easily. not completely. (And to keep history alive, write things down! Save your photos! keep your emails!)

*Also, you can keep samples of the physical flag. Not flying it doesn't mean it has to be obliterated. 

**And museums. And cemeteries and buildings and streets and even DNA! No shortage of historical records!!!

***Easy solution: Take a picture and write about it. It takes up less real estate in your house, but preserves the historical record.