SOC 304 Week 1 Discussion 1 | Assignment Help | Wilmington University
- Wilmington University / SOC 304
- 03 Sep 2020
- Price: $8
- Other / Other
SOC 304 Week 1 Discussion 1 | Assignment Help | Wilmington University
Week 1 Discussion Board
Symbols of Hate
By their nature, symbols can be used to
denote and connote practically anything, from peace to hate. But once a symbol
becomes culturally associated with its referent, it may be difficult or even
impossible to revise its accepted meaning. For example, the Nazis didn’t invent
the swastika, they appropriated it. But by embracing the symbol, it became
associated with White supremacy, and has been used by White supremacist groups
ever since. Similarly, the association of the Confederate flag with the rise of
the Ku Klux Klan makes it difficult to reconcile viewing it as anything but a
hate symbol. With that in mind, read this article concerning the co-optation of
the OK sign among white nationalists . The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently added it to
their database
of over 200 examples of symbols being
used by hate groups. But, as with other symbols that have traditionally had
other meanings, the context in which the gesture is made carries the meaning.
The Federalist, a conservative magazine,
has an interesting rebuttal . Some the points may be more spurious than others,
including its “innocuous” associations worldwide (it’s actually quite an
insulting gesture in some parts of the world), while the potential for the
meaning of symbols being based on the dominance of the group using it could be
taken as a warning.
Because symbols can change meanings, it’s
interesting to consider if symbols that have become associated with hate can be
reclaimed. A recent example of this attempt at reclamation is Pepe the Frog ,
once an innocuous cartoon character that became an Alt-Right hate symbol.
Pepe’s creator, Matt Furie, launched a Kickstarter campaign to “resurrect Pepe.”
For this week’s discussion board, consider
the use of symbols in communication, including the potential for the meanings
of symbols to change. Were you aware of Pepe the Frog and the recent listing of
the OK hand gesture as hate symbols? How effective do you think concerted
efforts to reclaim symbols that become associated with hate can be?
USA 
India