In this series Poppy Noor discusses an issue concerning how we can build happy, well-run communities. But what do you think? Send us your thoughts and responses

I want to reclaim the St George’s Cross and St George’s Day. Both the flag and the occasion are things that should represent English people, and it’s sad to see how they have been taken over by the far right for the last couple of decades.

With Brexit and the current political climate, England feels vulnerable; and if we’re not careful, people on the far right will take that as their victory. I think it would be a great signal of unity for the centre and left to take up national pride and not be scared of saying they’re proud of England. Of course there are problems with England’s history. But St George’s Day could be such a powerful symbol, such a strong piece of artillery. National pride can be used as a strength, to create community.

It’s time for us to speak up and be loud – to push the idea of the flag to include a diverse crowd, to represent what England represents for many people: tolerance and diversity.

The definition of what it is to be English has to change and represent the modern day: not just a white man in middle England, but people from all different backgrounds who don’t have to explain why they’re English. There are a lot of people who say they’re English and like England but they don’t feel comfortable flying the flag because of the connotations. But during the World Cup this year, it felt like such a moment of unity. All of a sudden everybody was dusting off their flags and happy to fly them. We were in it together, just really wanting England to win. That may have been the only thing that people had in common but that was enough. I want to build on that moment, and to make it so that people don’t feel it’s only during sporting events that we’re allowed to be patriotic.

I was thinking of starting a digital campaign, with public figures showing the flag on social media, maybe in a video, talking about what England means to them. It would be great if we could encourage people nationwide to have little street parties that are inclusive, or to invite their neighbours round, or to get everyone to post their favourite English song.

I want to have the hashtag #StretchTheFlag, inspired by Riz Ahmed’s interview on BBC Two’s Road to Englistan where he referenced a quote from Zadie Smith: “All I want to do with my work is to take words like black, British or woman and stretch them so they’re big enough so I can live in them comfortably.”

The voice from far right is so loud right now that unless we do something to speak up it will take this moment for its own. Most people are not racist. But tolerant, diverse England doesn’t have a symbol to represent it.

We should be able to celebrate St George’s Day, too, and I’d appreciate any advice on how to do that.

Community organisers are used to tackling huge issues like this, and like you, they start small – down to a day, a feeling, a symbol. You also need to think about exactly what it is that you’re trying to achieve: uniting people is very different from, say, opening up a public debate, or wanting a different group of people to be seen to be reclaiming St George’s Day (which is also very different from wanting a different group of people to feel national pride).

Sara Bryson, Citizen UK’s Tyne & Wear community organiser, suggests thinking about power next: “We rarely have positional power, but what people power do you have? Do you know somebody who knows somebody? Who do you need to get to? What action do you want to take? What reaction do you want it to achieve?”

These actions, says Bryson, need to be very directed – down to naming the person who has the authority to do something about what you are aiming to achieve.

People power is also about having a following. You want this to be a cross-cultural event that unites different groups – to some of whom you won’t currently have access. They may not hang out where you do. Maybe they don’t use the same online platforms. But you need to understand what they want, what their fears are, and whether they care enough to join in. Do you know how different demographics feel about St George’s Day? Have you asked them? Would they ever come to a party where someone hung the flag? Why? Why not?

“Building a campaign isn’t just mobilising people. It’s not just saying, ‘I have these ideas about reclaiming St George’s Day.’ It’s about approaching people with a blank piece of paper and hearing them out. Finding out what their problems are and what they want to see change,” says Bryson.

Phil Chapman, director of multi-faith charity the Faith & Belief Forum, warns that the campaign may not be as uniting as you hope: “Some saw Brexit as an opportunity to vent about the way they were treated in society. People were polarised over whose country this is. Fighting over a flag could be the same.”

I personally think it depends. You’ve come up with a nice idea that you hope will bring people together, and have some good ideas about how to get it started. That doesn’t necessarily have to involve all people – it could just be your friends. The most important thing is to take into account the views of those who may feel alienated by it, on the left and the right.

• What do you think? Or have you got a question for Poppy and readers to consider? Post your responses below or email them to in.it.together@guardian.co.uk