Question about the red/black Flag

[gonzo]

I always thought of the anarchosyndicalistic Flag as Red in the upper left corner and black in the lower right (same to the star).
But more and more often I see the Flag and the star with the Red on the right side.
My question is, are they both correct? And if not, how did it happen that there´s one "false" version.
thx

PS.
sorry for my english, i´m no native speaker

[RedAnarchist]

You know, thats a good question. I would assume that those who identify more with Anarchism put black on the top and those who identify more with Communism put the red on the top.

And your English is fine - i'm a native speaker and I can undersatdn you perfectly.

[OleMarxco]

Hmmm, you should introduce yourself first before jumpin' straight to're learnin' forum a'ren! By the way, thought'cha knew since ye had it in ye'avatar, 'tho, and red/black means Anarcho-Communist - Black is Anarchists, Red is Communists - Like a good split-personality! ;)

[gonzo]

Well my avatar is the symbol of the german FAU ("Freie Arbeiter Union" or "Free Workers Union"), which you could compare to the CNT or just the IAA. It calls itself Anarchosyndicalistic which is quite equal to Anarcho-Communism in my point of View. In other Interpretations the red color just stands for the equality of goods and not directly for Communism

[Dre_Guevara]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Blkred_flag.png


The red and black flag is the primary symbol of the international libertarian labour movement. [1] Its colours symbolise the basic principles and goals of anarcho-syndicalism -- red for material and social equality and the black of the anarchist flag for freedom and solidarity. To that extent the colours of the anarcho-syndicalist flag are a constant reminder both of the libertarian means by which the anarcho-syndicalist fights and the goal of freedom from statism and wage-slavery that she or he fights for.

Originally the red and black were placed vertically, one of top of each other. A later innovation placed the red and black diagonally along a line running from bottom left to top right, with a red triangle placed on top and a black one below. This crossing of the flag represents the internationalist aspect of the anarcho-syndicalist movement through the nullification, in a sense and with a purpose similar to that of the pure black of the anarchist flag, of all other flags.

The direction of the diagonal line holds important symbolic value also, and tends to be strictly adhered to. If red symbolises the economic struggle that the anarcho-syndicalist union takes on on a day-to-day basis, the black symbolises the anarchist principles and goals which inspire the desire to fight the authoritarianism of the present, and to resist collaboration and itegration into the system of class oppression. The direction of the diagonal line, with the anarchist black rising from underneath to its fullest area at the right, symbolises the growth of a revolutionary temper alongside the growth of the movement as a whole -- a decline in activity based (for lack of a better word) only on an animalistic knowledge of one's own immediate needs and a growth in activity based on idealism, knowledge and education, and a desire to struggle for liberation from wage-slavery. In a nutshell, the direction of the line is a statement against reformism and the reduction of the union to an instrument of class collaboration and a mechanism controlling and taming the workers, as opposed to performing its proper role as one of liberation.

Like the anarchist flag the red and black flag of anarcho-syndicalism is used by libertarian labour activists around the world in place of their national flags. The use of the flag is a statement against nationalism, the lie which enslaves and victimises the majority of a people to a minority of exploiters and oppressors from amongst their own ranks, which makes patriots out of those with no patrimony. By the same token, use of the red and black flag is a statement in favour of internationalism, and the unity and solidarity, undivided by made-up lines on maps, of all humankind.

I hope this helps.

[rkn]

The differences are pretty meaningless really. I dont think anyone actually checks which way round it is when they see the flag!