I liked the addition of the brown and black stripes last year as a wakeup call — as a protest by Pride organizers calling our attention to lack of inclusivity.

But for all the reasons you cite, M. J. Murphy, I don’t think the current flag ought to be permanently altered.

All the colors of the rainbow really do add up to all the colors of the rainbow. Sunlight is powerful and strong when it’s united — when all the colors of the rainbow merge into one blinding force.

The idea of the rainbow representing diversity predates even Baker’s design.

Given that the symbology is beloved, though, shaking people up by (temporarily) subverting it is probably quite useful.

Jim