Texans Shouldn't Use Chilean Flag Emoji To Talk About Their State, Lawmaker Says

An emoji representing the nation of Chile is getting a chilly reception from at least one Texas lawmaker.

Last week, state Rep. Tom Oliverson (R) filed a resolution asking people to think more carefully about their use of the Chilean flag emoji, according to Reuters.

As you will notice in the photos below, the Texas state flag, on top, is fairly similar to the Chilean flag, on the bottom.

But close only counts in horseshoes, not in emojis.

Currently, there is no Texas flag emoji, but Oliverson doesn’t want his fellow Texans to think they can just substitute the Chilean state flag willy-nilly.

Oliverson explained the problem in the resolution:

All too often, the Chilean flag emoji is used as a substitute for the Lone Star Flag in text messaging and on social media platforms; the Chilean flag proudly represents its country but, despite its similarity to the Texas flag, it does not represent the State of Texas.

He then asked the legislature to “hereby reject the notion that the Chilean flag, although it is a nice flag, can in any way compare to or be substituted for the official state flag of Texas.”

He went on to “urge all Texans not to use the Republic of Chile flag emoji in digital forums when referring to the Lone Star Flag of the great State of Texas.”

Oliverson told the Houston TV station KPRC that he’s not advocating for the creation of a Texas flag emoji, insisting: “I don’t take a position on that.”

Some people are 😂 at Oliverson’s pet issue.

“For Pete’s sake, let the #txlege freshman pass his adorable little flag emoji bill,” political analyst Harold Cook tweeted, according to Reuters.

But Oliverson feels the resolution has already succeeded, even if it doesn’t come up for a vote.

“Even if the legislature decides not to hear it, we have achieved our objective,” he told Reuters.

However, he does hope it will help people ― especially Texans ― differentiate between the flags when using social media.

“I never thought in a million years it would get the kind of publicity it has gotten,” Oliverson told KPRC. “But it’s accomplished exactly what I set out for it to accomplish.”