Since we started using the 21MC flag as our main logo a year ago this month, we’ve had a number of people come to us asking what the origins of the flag actually were. So, in honor of West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, NY tomorrow, I wanted to write a bit about what the flag symbolizes to us at 21MC.
The flag was created from a wide range of influences, but was primarily based off two things: one being the hours upon hours spent staring at African flags (as well as the many flags of the Caribbean I had hanging over my desk in San Francisco). The second major influence on the design of the flag was the “21MC 7 Color Theory“, our exclusive system of Afro-Eyez’d * (see footnote) color theory that we use to determine color selection and hierarchy. The particular 7 colors we used in the 21MC flag are drawn from our conceptual vision of what “the universal colors of the tropics” could/would be. (We’ll discuss the 21MC 7 Color Theory more extensively at a later date)
Anyhow, I was amazed by how much visual unity is displayed when you look at all the flags of Africa and/or the West Indies together, how they are part of one family, even if in actuality there are many divides which keep Black people all over the world separated from ourselves (physically, mentally, socially, aesthetically, etc) for one reason or another. Also, these colors are found in the U.$., though not a tropical country, a country where descendants of tropical people now live and who have retained much of their visual tropical roots (as they say, “loud, bright colors that we wear”: church hats, mardi gras costumes, hip-hop streetwear, the so-called pimp suit, etc). So, last year we set out to create a flag that could embody what could be called the legacy of Black design (at least partially).
As a result and as our name suggests, we use this flag to represent us as we are forming temporary autonomous maroon colonies in hostile nations, UK, U$A, France, etc (please remember this is true regardless of the destiny of Barack Obama). We use this flag to represent us as 21st Century 2/3s World people living in the belly of the beast and back in the tropics: Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian. We use this flag to represent us as modern maroons trying carve out a safe place for the development of our post-colonial culture (Art/Design, Thought, Music, Spirit, and Politics). We use this flag to represent us as sideways-culture-hacking-attackers of the mainstream. We use this flag to represent us as tropical ethno-digital guerrillas in the urban bush. This flag of 21MC is our symbol of past, present, future: those that walked before and those who will walk.
Tomorrow as we presently walk down Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, NY at the West Indian Day Parade, we will use this flag to represent us.
*Afro-Eyez’d (pronounced Afroized)
A 21MC term we’ve developed out of necessity to describe the use of Afrikan/Afro-Amerikan experiences and aesthetics as the major source of influence in our approach to what visual communication means in the 21st century in relation to Black people and People of Color in general. This approach is not used in mere blind reaction to European design ideas (90% of design is Euro-centric), but as a sort of visual patois Black people can use to better express themselves and their experiences. On our most indulgent days, we see the Afro-Eyez’d approach to design to be a visual answer/solution equal to the concept of “Nation Language” and the use of patois in West Indian poetry (See Kamau Brathwaite’sHistory of the Voice) or Aime Cesaire’s ideas on Afro-Surrealism and imagined self (Discourse on Colonialism).
so, there’s a big water coming this way in a day or so. this taste isn’t anything new, but it’s way more personal and vivid than it even was three years ago. last time, the levees were a city away. this time, the levee is less than a mile from where i sleep, make music, fuck, buy smoke, and even drink coffee. shit’s too close to my hood, just like it was too close three years ago; less than 2 miles from the house i grew up in. swallowing the thought of possibly losing everything that i’ve known, only too soon after finally appreciating it.
as for me, since 2 hours of rain leaves my block in shin-deep water, i’ll probably move my half-stack and music gear, records, into my car and leave it at my parent’s house. i don’t yet know where i’ll be sleeping, b/c the more i think about it, my building is too old and rigid to withstand any sort of serious structural damage. if shit pops off too wildlike down here, i might spring up in one of a couple locations. we’ll see.
If you didn’t know… our fellow maroon and Tastemaker Extraordinaire, Dante Fried Chicken has been on a whirlwind tour across euroland, cookin’ up & cuttin’ up. Elegant with a chicken bone, Mr. Fried Chicken has finally made is way to the UK and will be jammin’ hard (plum flavored), this weekend with 2 huge parties on London’s east side.
So put on your saturday & sunday’s best, grab a friend and stop by and get some of them soy nuggets that everyone swears, “has to be chicken”!
Aw man!
Although we only just got back to work and still have much settling in to do in our new space, I’d be remiss in duties if I did not address the questions we’ve been getting about the Mini Poncho, among other things. So here are some quick answers for you all. Pardon my brevity-
• Yes, we will be releasing them as part of our Fall/Winter Test Line.
• Yes, the initial 21 Mini Ponchos will sold exclusively in our eStore.
• Yes, there will be an online pre-sale. Date: TBD | Price: TBA
• No, there is no formal wait list. Register here for notifications.
• Yes, we will also release new limited prints and vintage knits.
I’ve been debating about how to approach this post. I think i’m still processing a lot of this, trying to be responsible in my response to it. I will however start by saying that I’m sure it was no coincidence that Barack Obama gave his nomination acceptance speech, on the 45th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Much has to be said about significance of, a person of color accepting a presidential nomination 45 years (to the day) from the most influential civil rights speeches ever given. That is heavy… but what I think I was most moved by the post-speech reactions from the elders who lived through Dr. King’s day. They all seemed so astonished, having lived their life being told that one day a black man would be president, never thinking they would ever see the day. To them, even the prospect of it seemed unbelievable.
Obama took attention to speak on the american dream and how easily it has been deferred. He harked on the need for change, spoke on the policies he aims to pursue and in the end, sparked inspiration in people desperate for something other; stressing that “We love this country too much to let the next 4 years look like the last 8.” When it comes to predicting the outcome of this election, I can’t call it, not in the country that gave George Bush 2 terms. I’m am sure a change will come, I’m just not sure whether it will be for the better or the worse.
Kanye chopped a sample from M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” and put together what he calls the “Rap Olympic Team” to drop bars for “Swagger Like Us”.
Yego chopped it up with M.I.A fam about 21X and put together what can easily be called “Interactive Design Gold Medal Allstars”!
10Trillion x Meczilla x Starclops x HypeHypeHype - *blink*
This Fall/Winter Relauch will be insane! Register for the updates.
Aight then… time to check the rest of this DNC. Abrigato!
A lot of planning and money is invested in the real estate above the fold in the NYT. This movie ad takes up more space than the front page feature photo and has run alongside DNC coverage every day this week.
"Just Because You’re Paranoid Doesn’t Mean They Aren’t Out to Get You"
Being a first lady in my own right, I couldn’t help but ponder just how much things would change if Michelle Obama became this country’s first lady. For one Oprah would have a new homegirl, the Williams sisters stock would shoot up, and banks would probably offer me even more credit cards then they already do…
So as we at 21MC embark on our new era, I am reminded of how our little colony serves as a microcosm of the Transatlantic African world. People of color, as a whole, are preparing to embark on a new post-colonial era, where “we” are in power. *21 min. later* Free cable here we come!!
PS - Remind me to talk about the 21MinutesofCrank music mix series…
It is it with immense pleasure that I announce:
The 21st Century Maroon Colony has embarked on a new era!
However, in all fairness, I must also say that though this is a huge step forward for us, it did not come without it’s setbacks. So shouts out to the warriors who hung in through the trenches, and a moment silence… for the homies we left behind.
*Tips gingerbeer*
FYI- Due to some inclement conditions, our colony was forced to migrate to a new server. We lost some information, among other things, but are happy to report that much was salvaged. And as you can bet, we are all super excited to get back to work as our Spring/Summer 08′ Test Line was a smashing success.
With the release of our Fall/Winter 08′ Test Line approaching,
you can rest assured that 21MC will chop!
The 21st century Maroon Colony is a NY/SF based critical art & design collective representing the Afro-Triangle and the 2/3s world.
Comprised of 3 primary cadres, we employ a Think-Tank, Make-Tank, Break-Tank approach- initiating and executing interactive design projects, developing and designing conceptual textiles & design objects, and distributing physical/digital information & goods.
