On Dec. 19, Minnesota unveiled its new state flag. 

The flag selected depicts a white star surrounded by a dark blue shape of Minnesota and a light blue background which symbolizes the waters of the state.

The new Minnesota flag raises the question of why Minnesota is changing flags and what was wrong with the previous one.

For many decades Minnesotans have called attention to the original flag’s depiction of a Native American riding off into the sunset. Many have interpreted this depiction as a glorification of the forceful removal of natives from their ancestral land. “It is very racist and discriminatory and as a Minnesotan, I don’t want to be represented by a flag that holds such an ideology,” Edina High School junior Juman Alkhatib said. “I’d like to be associated with a flag that reflects our people nowadays rather than over 100 years ago.”

In addition to the depiction of a native, many claimed that the state flag was lacking in aesthetics.

“I think the original flag had a lot of deficits,” EHS art teacher, Dalen Towne said. Many feel similarly to Towne, believing the flag’s complicated illustration of a farmer surrounded by a circle of flowers and vines was an eye sore and difficult to view from a distance. 

In the process of deciding on a new state flag, many artists submitted potential designs.

“The design I liked the most was one with blue, green, and white strips,” Towne said. “The green is such a huge component for the symbolism of Minnesota’s resources.”

The purpose of Minnesota’s new flag was not to highlight the state’s historical shortcomings but to amplify what makes Minnesota unique. “We should focus on more of the traits that make Minnesota a more progressive state,” EHS senior Cole Edam said. “Our flag should signify our beautiful nature and lakes, [and] the Northern Star.”

The flag change also demonstrates the future that Minnesota is working for. “In the present day, we are a people dedicated to achieving inclusion and equality,” Alkhatib said. “By removing this dreadful flag, we can take another step closer to this goal.”