October 2022
Note: we use stammering and stuttering interchangeably
What is stuttering pride?
To us, stuttering pride is a belief that stuttering voices are valid and important. It is a hope for a future in which people who stutter are respected and included. It is a movement to create this change and celebrate stuttering culture.
Why make a flag?
Flags have been crucial tools in political rights movements throughout history. A flag can be a powerful, galvanising symbol for a group, but also something with inherent meaning that is unique to each individual. We came together as a group to make a flag that visually embodies the values, ideals and hopes of stuttering pride. We understand stuttering itself as a political act. With this flag, we take pride in our speech disability.
We hope people who stutter and their allies will be brought the same joy, inspiration and sense of solidarity as the flag has brought us: that the flag can bring us together as a community, as well as encourage each person on their own stuttering and life journeys too.
We want to acknowledge that this is a stuttering pride flag, not the stuttering pride flag. It’s up to people who stutter if they identify with this design and approach we have taken. This flag is an invitation.
Why waves?
Water has long been associated with stuttering and speech. The Egyptian hieroglyph for stuttering features a wave-like motif. The iceberg analogy has been useful to people who stutter to understand their experience of stuttering and has recently been powerfully reframed by Nina G using the lens of stuttering pride.
As a group, we discussed Jordan Scott’s book I Talk Like a River that showed us how water can be used to illustrate the nuances in the stuttering experience. So too, JJJJJerome Ellis’ The Clearing that poetically relates stuttering to water and nature. We were eager to build upon this work by the stuttering community in a meaningful way, emphasising that stuttering is as natural as whirling waves and calm creeks.
