The Green-white-red Flag Issue
2009 June 19
Like I said in my previous post, June 26 is the celebration of Madagascar’s Independence Day. Malagasy people usually start to raise the green-white-flag in about 10 days before the D day. A sign of patriotism. This year, it’s not going to be the same thing. The action of raising flags (or not) will be closely interpreted as a sign of belonging to certain political parties or views. Whatever you’ll do then, you will automatically be seen as pro-Ravalomanana or pro-HAT. No way to be neutral.
For my own case, I won’t raise any flag and I won’t praise any other. It’s a personal choice with personal reasons so that means I don’t encourage people to do the same thing.
The Malagasy flag represents our sovereignty, our independance, our freedom. The fact of raising it for the celebration of June 26th, means that we are “happy” to be independant. But is that the fact? Are we really independant? Can we say that we are still independant when an elected president has been ousted by a military backed coup? It depends on everyone’s view of our independance then …
Since I returned to my country a decade ago, I brought with me a tradition found in my previous host country, which is to raise the flag EVERYDAY of the year!!
I think that patriotism is a notion that is either permanently present, or not at all.
My flag will NOT budge, regardless of the consequences brought on by obtuse persons.
Isn’t it a telltale sign when one raises the flag when it is “convenient” or “due”?
The flag is NOT about politics, it is about recognizing OUR nation, which is in dire need of building…
More than ever, we need to bridge our differences and the common denominator should be that very flag!
Happy Independence Day to all!
Thank you for your comment Jean-Louis. I’m sorry but we don’t share the same point of view
Now, this flag is whether people like it or not related to politics. My mom asked me too raise ours last weekend just by fear of being tagged as pro-Ra8.
The current situation is a bit hypocritical for me. They burnt, stole, destroyed, they made a coup backed by the army and then they proudly broadcast an ad on TV saying that “it’s your duty to raise the flag and teach the future generation”. They’re kidding!!! Teach what? How to topple a prezident, how to crash a 5-year economical effort or how to strengthen France’s grip on us.
I do agree we need to bridge our differences but I think we need more than our flag as a common denominator
I wish you a Happy Independence Day too
I agree with you Tahina , I won’t put up my flag either. I feel that this year Independance day has no value.
We’re not independant and no democracy!!!!
It’s sad , very sad!!!
I miss the good ole days!!!!
Let us then agree to disagree! I am happy to see that there ARE some bloggers out there who are open minded.
Question: who started this flag issue?
Sad, Happy, free, still under the joug of the others …..that’s all true. I got a better excuse for not raising the flag: our house is not very visible and we are lazy to put it.
But seriously, at this rate some will not speak Malagasy anymore, it starts with the flag after the national hymn and in the end the language. Don’t you think so ?
Ps: I almost forget it: “I was born in the 60 s , I don’t know what happens in 1947,1958. I only focus on future prospects. I other word I don’t give a damn to history” sure we remember who said this !
In order to best focus on the future… It always helps to know something about the past!
If only to try and avoid the same mistakes…and surely, to begin understanding what’s going on today.
May I humbly suggest that raising the flag is not only for “others” to see, but to a large extent for you and your family?
Perhaps this flag raising issue can be linked to the fact that it has always been perceived as a “government” thing, and only “tolerable” for us citizens around Independence Day?
You made a point there.
Raising the Malagasy flag is a habit for some and has much more powerful meaning in Independence day for others. For me, doing so is like forgiving and accepting all the current gov has done. You see, it’s like you kicked my butts and then you proposed me to celebrate something with you. I may be wrong doing so but that’s what I feel now.
We’re doing so long time before the crisis started. Have you noticed that this month of June was meant to be of the “Malagasy language”?
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country” JFK 1963
Let us skip the flag episode, I respect whatever decision you make.
Let us see how we can make a difference everyday in our lives… The REAL challenge
Happy month of June! and rest of the year too…
That’s right, it is the real challenge
I wish you the same.