By: Moi
Graphics by: Vaughn Kyle V. Ostan
Photo by: Luis Iñigo A. Lava
A rainbow does not only cater to one color, nor should a community do the same.
A rainbow is filled with colors, from red to violet, which can represent different traits for different people. Some people may associate the color red with life, others with love; orange is healing to some, to others a possibility; yellow is sunlight, expressing freedom; green is nature and the feeling of contentment; blue evokes harmony and balance; indigo presents serenity and peace; and violet represents a person’s will and spirit. There’s so much meaning to give to these simple colors, and meanings vary from one person to another. When colors are used in a banner to signify a community, people can know more about that community—and most of the time, it’s just the thought and empathy that counts to truly appreciate another’s community.
Change truly does start within the person. In the age of enlightenment and accountability, it’s high time for people to take the initiative to inform and educate themselves and others on societal issues, especially those revolving around the significance of representation. Colors evoke different emotions, reactions, and experiences that can vary from one person to another. To name more, red can suggest anger, orange as embarrassment, yellow as joy, green as disgust, blue as sadness, indigo, and violet as fear—just like in the movie, “Inside Out.”
Colors alone can give signals, hints, and suggestions to those who see them. Colors stand out so much that some colors are used as a marketing strategy to attract customers and pique their interests. That being said, colors should be seen and treated the same in banners, flags, and posters. As of today, various pride flags use different hues, shades, and tints to represent communities and their characteristics. These flags are curated to help these communities be seen, acknowledged, and, most importantly, to be understood.
The number of colors included in the rainbow alone represents diversity. These flags with all shades of different colors represent the diverse, similar, but unique communities that are a part of LGBTQ+. The appearance of each color, how each color is given significance, and a variety of interpretations represent inclusivity. Inclusivity is also present among the members of the community. Through this, no one is left out, no one is left alone, and no one is fighting and facing the challenges alone.
It takes time and the initiative to realize and make known these communities and the struggles they’ve faced and are facing for better representation. We’ve been drowned in stereotypes, negative media, and misconceptions about these communities to the point where we don’t take the chance to debunk them and know more about the truth anymore. With that, the initiative should come from within the person. Let’s all try to learn more about the rainbow so that we can support and reach the end of it with all of its colors and communities.
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