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During this semester Frey, Zipola, Fiker, and Anika conducted research as part of their social change project for their Race and Gender class. They decided to focus on creating more space for people to get recognition and representation of their nationalities, as well as gather more information about students’ perceptions regarding their flags in the Hall of Nations and representation of their nationalities on campus. The flags in the Hall of Nations mean a lot to students. They’re not just colors and shapes – they’re symbols of history and identity. Currently, the Hall of Nations hosts 85 flags, 10 of which were added within the past month. 

These flags are a great way to represent the diversity and celebrate different cultures and nationalities of which people are a part. To gain a better idea about students’ perceptions related to the flags and representation of their nationalities, information was gathered from 42 students via an electronic survey sent out to the student body. Here are the results of that survey and a little information as to why they are important.  

According to this survey, there are several flags that are missing from the Hall of Nations. 19% of participants noted that their flags were not present. These participants requested that flags from Sudan, Greece, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay would be added. Here is a little about the meaning of each of these flags:

Sudan 

Importance: The flag serves as a reminder of Sudan’s history and culture, fostering unity among Sudanese students and raising awareness of the country’s struggles and triumphs.

Greece 

Importance: The flag symbolizes Greece’s rich cultural heritage and contributions to art, philosophy, and academia. It inspires Greek students and sparks conversations about Hellenic traditions.

Puerto Rico 

Importance: The dual representation acknowledges the complexity of Puerto Rican identity and its political nuances. It highlights the resilience and diversity within the Puerto Rican community.  Although Puerto Rico is technically part of the United States, students feel that this territory should have its own flag represented.   

Uruguay 

Importance: The flag represents Uruguay’s passion for football, rich literary tradition, and progressive social policies. It connects Uruguayan students, fostering community and celebrating their heritage.

According to students, representation of their nationalities via the flags in the Hall of Nations is important for many reasons. The flags offer a sense of cultural connection as they are more than just symbols and they connect students to their heritage and culture. They also offer community pride as seeing their flag in the Hall of Nations makes students proud of their background and identity. In addition, the flags offer awareness and education since they are a way to learn about different countries and their histories, and finally, they provide unity and representation of all nationalities on campus. Results of the survey suggested that almost half of respondents (41.5%) would like to see more representation of their nationalities on campus in addition to the flags, while 53.7 % of respondents noted that the flags were a sufficient form of representation.    

In an effort to make change on campus and help promote representation and awareness of student perceptions, we plan to pass the results of this survey along to the administration and request that these flags be added in addition to the ones that are currently present. In addition to the flags, we also asked students to suggest other ways they would like to see more representation of their nationalities on campus. People suggested more cultural clubs, food, music, and events focused around different cultures and nationalities, along with the installation of a plaque that recognizes that EMU was built and resides on stolen land in an effort to acknowledge the history of the land and people originally in this area.  

The flags in the Hall of Nations aren’t just decorations; they’re windows into the diverse backgrounds of our student body. The survey results show that each flag has a story to tell and a significance that resonates with students. As we walk past the Hall of Nations, let’s remember the rich history and cultural pride these flags represent. They are a testament to the vibrant tapestry of nationalities that make up our university community. Through this survey, Frey, Zipola, Fiker, and Anika have shed light on the importance of these symbols of identity and the impact they have on our campus culture. Let’s continue to celebrate and embrace the diversity that makes our school unique.