Honky Tonk Foodie
If you’re an emoji user and a proud Texan, you may be frustrated there’s not a flag option to represent the Lone Star State. Having been personally fooled before when scrolling through options, a closer inspection will reveal that a similar-looking flag is, in fact, the flag of the country Chile. The nation is officially known as the Republic of Chile, and it’s located in South America. Three main differences distinguish our flags. These are the colors, the blocking, and the location of the star. Confusion is a common mistake, and in 2017, someone decided to do something about it.
Houston Rep. Tom Oliverson introduced legislation HCR75 in the Eighty-fifth Texas legislature which called for Texans to cease utilizing emoji of the Chilean flag when what is actually meant is the Texas Flag. Although a non-binding resolution, meaning there are no legal penalties for disregarding it, the official ruling notes that while the Chilean flag ‘is a nice flag,’ it’s not comparable or a suitable substitute for the official state flag of Texas, and all Texans are urged not to use it digitally when referencing the Lone Star Flag. Below is HCR75 in completion.
Photo: envato elements
“WHEREAS, Most major electronic messaging applications provide a number of flag emojis, including that of the Republic of Chile, but the official flag of Texas, also known as the Lone Star Flag, is not included in the selection; and
WHEREAS, All too often, the Chilean flag emoji is used as a substitute for the Lone Star Flag in text messaging and on social media platforms; the Chilean flag proudly represents its country but, despite its similarity to the Texas flag, it does not represent the State of Texas; and
WHEREAS, The colors of the Chilean flag depict sky, snow, and blood spilled while fighting for freedom, but the blue, white, and red of the Lone Star Flag stand for the Texan values of loyalty, purity, and bravery; and
WHEREAS, The single star of the Chilean flag, positioned in a blue canton, has been seen by some as a guide to progress and honor, while others have interpreted it to symbolize the powers of Chile’s government; and
WHEREAS, The independent Lone Star of Texas, situated in a blue left panel, represents all of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country, according to Section 3100.152(d), Government Code; additionally, the five points of the Lone Star have been said to represent the characteristics of a good Texas citizen: fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness; and
WHEREAS, The Lone Star Flag has a grand history, starting with its adoption as the third flag of the Republic of Texas by President Mirabeau B. Lamar and the Texas Congress in 1839, and just as our flag could never fully embody the country of Chile, neither can the Chilean flag inspire feelings of pride and passion in the heart of a true Texan; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby reject the notion that the Chilean flag, although it is a nice flag, can in any way compare to or be substituted for the official state flag of Texas and urge all Texans not to use the Republic of Chile flag emoji in digital forums when referring to the Lone Star Flag of the great State of Texas.”
Photo: @GlobalNewsArt via Twenty20
Don’t worry if you make this mistake once or often, using the Chilean flag as the Texas flag will not land you in trouble with the law. But it does annoy some people so much, they made a legal resolution!
