Amortization

Leslie White

Origins Section 5

Professor Alderman

18 October 2010

ESSAY IV

Symbols can be found in many places. Many of them are on everyday signs, such as a woman figure, phone, handicap, no smoking, or a fork and a spoon. The Christian cross and the Nazi swastika are two public symbols that evoke a good or bad feeling. Almost everybody recognizes these two very powerful symbols. For most Americans, the cross is a normal symbol to see since we live in a Christian raised country. For some people they might feel warmth when viewing a cross. It is a little different for me. I feel nothing. I just think, "Okay, they believe in God". When people see a swastika in the United States I believe most people feel threatened or offended. Even though I am white, when I see a swastika I think, "Oh come on, grow up". I think most of the "bad asses" that sport a swastika are simply trying to look tough and suggest negative feelings.

The first public symbol that is controversial that popped into my head was the anarchy sign. Some people wear or draw it and say, "Yeah man, f*** the government". Anarchy believes that we are at a state of "lawlessness" because our government is not efficient and lacks political order. When I see this sign, I usually think back to my teenage days; Rock n' roll, drugs, confusion, and so on! It seems to me that I have seen many kids wearing the anarchy symbol and have no idea what is going on in the political world. However, there are true anarchists who deserve to wear the symbol because they may have their own beliefs about the government. The anarchy symbol does suggest a "screw you government" message.

A symbol that is usually taken in a good way is the peace sign. Most people see this symbol as representing peace, love, and freedom from war. The original meaning for it was 'Nuclear Disarmament'. This symbol goes back to the late 1950's. I have never felt a dire emotion from the peace sign. However, there are people who resent the...