ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 13, 1997 TAG: 9702130050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: What's On Your Mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: I've been listening to this flap over the state song. I think we have a larger problem. If state flags were generally shown, we would be the laughingstock of the nation. Virginia's flag shows a female with a breast exposed, standing on a man. Which hysterical feminist designed this flag? Has anybody thought about changing it?
F.L., Roanoke
A: Sexism wasn't on the minds of George Mason, George Wythe and two other fathers of Virginia when they designed the flag image in 1776.
Foreign tyrants occupied their attention.
Virginia's flag takes its symbols from the state seal, and anything that's engraved in metal with roots in 221 years of Virginia tradition is good to last a few more decades.
"Carry Me Back to ol' Virginia" survived almost 30 years of attacks, and its retirement still isn't a done deal. And this song dates only to 1875 (when it was composed) and 1940 (when it was adopted.)
With the song occupying this year's assembly, no legislator has dared mention the flag.
Mason and Wythe wanted symbols that had nothing to do with English heraldry, and they greatly admired the Romans. That led them to Virtus, a now-obscure figure in Roman mythology.
Virtus personified valor in battle and patient service for the common good, according to a 1952 issue of Virginia Cavalcade magazine.
Mason and his colleagues specified that she be dressed as an Amazon - not one from South America but a member of the mythical race of female warriors supposed to lived near Greece.
Why an Amazon? That's how the Romans depicted Virtus on temple walls and on medals.
Also, colonists used the symbol of an Amazon much the way Liberty is used today as a symbol of independence, said Allen Williams, a history professor at UVa.
The image of Virtus on the state flag greatly resembles a Roman statue that depicts an Amazon warrior in the Vatican museum - right down to a dress that's cut for speed, similar to a Roman soldier's uniform.
Her left foot rests on the prostrate body of Tyranny, with his fallen crown nearby and a broken chain in his hand. Tyranny represented England and the fate that awaited any future oppressors.
AOL refund
Q: I've had problems getting on line with America Online, and want to get in touch with them to be included in their refund offer. How can I do this?
M.W., Roanoke
A: To apply for a cash refund, call (800)827-6364. Be prepared to listen to a sales message before receiving instruction on how to pursue a refund - which is a maximum of $39.90 and will be less for each hour of use if you've managed to log on since early December.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Maybe we can find the answer. Call us at 981-3118, or e-mail RAYR@oanoke.com
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: State seal. color.by CNB