Red, Black and Green, if you think about it…

The Pan-African flag was created in 1920 to represent people of the African Diaspora and to symbolize black liberation in the United States. As flags symbolize the union of governance, people, and territory, this flag was created to give Black people in the U.S., that is to say New Afrikans, in the Americas (Cubans, Jamaicans, Colombians, etc.) and the world over a symbol that unifies the Diaspora. This tri-color flag consists of three equal horizontal bands colored Red, Black, and Green.

Red: the blood that unites all people of Black African ancestry, and shed for liberation;
Black: for the people whose existence as a nation, though not yet a nation-state, is affirmed by the existence of the flag;
Green: the abundant and vibrant natural wealth of Africa, the Motherland; youth, hope.

Since its existence, a number of African nations have adopted the colors as a symbol of sovereignty and unity. It has also been adopted by several Black organizations that carry on the fight towards justice and liberation for Black people. Gold or yellow, representing peace and harmony, has also been associated with pan-African solidarity as inspired by the flag of Ethiopia that Emperor Menelik had made on 11 October 1897, a year after Ethiopia decisively defeated the Kingdom of Italy at the Battle of Adwa,

New Africa House on the campus of the University of Massachusetts has proudly displayed the Pan-African Flag and as the colors of its main front door since the 1969 student takeover of what had been a men’s dorm, Mill’s House.

During the Black Power Movement, several songs popularized the RBG colors and flag. Some of the best include “Red, Black & Green” by Pharoah Sanders on Thembi (1971); “The Liberation Song” by Gil Scott-Heron & the Midnight Band on the album The First Minute of a New Day (1975); & “Red, Black & Green” by Roy Ayers Ubiquity (1973) here…

Red black and green
If you think about it you know what I mean [x3]

Red is for the eastern side
Red is for the blood we share
Red is for our thousands dead
Red is for our liberty
We fight for our own nation yeah

Red black and green
If you think about it you know what I mean

Black is for the mother land
Black is for the proud black man
Black is for the beautiful face
Of a proud and beautiful place
Black is for the soil we need
So a nation we can feed

Red black and green
If you think about it you know what I mean

Green is for the seed of freedom planted in our minds
Green is for that seed to grow free from all the fires
Green is for the earth to feel -
Red black and green
If you think about it you know what I mean

Red black and green
If you think about it you know what I mean [x3]

Sources:

NPR Code Switch Podcast and What Are The Pan-African Colors?