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What's Your Sign?
Although I am dating myself, which I am usually reluctant to do, there was a time when the catch-phrase "what's your sign" was a very often used line. While the question earned its legitimacy based on the interest of all things astrological at the time, most often the person who was asking the question had very little interest in the other's astrological lineage. I think you catch my drift. However, signs and symbols have always been a major part of American society. You can see symbols, signs, and logos in marketing, sports, the corporate world and in about every direction that you will look on the way home from work. Sign are a matter of pride and attempt to identify one from the many. Ownership of these logos is so sacred that we have patent and copyright attorneys who make a very nice living protecting them in our courts when infringed upon. However, this slick tool of instant recognition is one that has not been missed from those who seek such identity for things that are not of the mainstream.
Hate and extreme groups rely heavily on signs and symbols, which instill instant fear to those whom the group may be on opposite sides of in terms of ideological contrast. Certainly to someone of Jewish descent, the Nazi swastika will cause an immediate feeling of uncomfortableness. To those of African American heritage, the KKK still brings back memories of a dark time in our nation's history. Tattooed clinched fists proclaiming "black power" or "white powe" can start a firestorm if seen by the wrong person. While the majority of these signs and symbols are racial in nature, they also go well beyond typical black/white issues and now can be found in religious and sexual issues, as well as groups who are extreme in whatever the topic might be. Groups who support pro-life, pro-choice, pro-smoking, no smoking, pet advocates and those who are adamant that we should not cut any more taxes and those who are just as adamant that we should cut a lot more taxes. Motorcycles riders would not look nearly as cool without a nice logo on the back of that leather vest as they cruise down the road. For every good cause, you can bet they have a logo.
The most recent and disturbing examples of signs and logos have been seen in the recent increases of gang activity. Every gang has a symbol that can literally leave you dead if you happen to disrespect that symbol to one who is so enthralled by it that he would have it tattooed on the back of his head. You think that NIKE is serious about its infamous swoosh that is on millions of hats and shorts everywhere, their level of seriousness pales in comparison to so many kids who have given their soul to a gang. Even more confusing, sometimes it is not even clear as to which gang a kid may belong based on what he wears. He, or she, may wear a collegiate jersey that also happens to be the symbolic colors of his gang. However, if another person wears the jersey of another collegiate team, and is not even in a gang, (imagine wearing a college logo simply because you like the team) violence can occur if the non-gang member wears offending colors into the gang members territory. People have been injured, and in some cases, killed based on this example when in truth the victim did not even know that they had offended anyone. This example, however, cannot be confused with the Georgia fan and the Florida fan, who were wearing their colors at the Gator Bowl and got into a fight. Their conflict was more probably based on another logo you might have heard of; and is usually found on the outside of a beer bottle.
To tell you the truth, it all becomes a bit confusing after a while. I say we should all go back to a more simplistic time where the only logos that really mattered, and to date there are none more important, were two. Fortunately, they are still around. You may recognize them; MEN's and WOMEN's. But, we have even tried to mess these up with things such as sitters and pointers, bloaks and shelias, lambs and bulls, and so on and so on. I give up! Perhaps my frustration is simply a "sign" of the times in which we live!
For further information, visit www.voice4victims.com
If you are interested in having Mr. Hall speak at your next club or group meeting, please email contact information to: SHallBadgeNotes@aol.com
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