Symbols of Hate, Hatred of Symbols

I was recently perusing the Anti-Defamation League's database of hate symbols and realized how powerful and prolific different symbols are in our culture and how we can be affected by them.

Of course, symbols of hatred are one of the representations of darkness in our society. There are numerous gang related emblems listed on the ADL's site and I do not want to display them here for fear of giving them more power and influence in our collective psyche.

Many hate symbols do not begin that way; rather they are appropriated from other contexts and co-opted. The most notable example of this is the Swastika which, prior to its use by the Nazi party, was a positive and uplifting symbol in many cultural and religious contexts.

One could certainly make the case that this symbol has been irrevocably damaged to the point where it is universally recognized first and foremost as a hate symbol by most people. This in turn creates a backlash where people hate the symbol itself in a very visceral way.

Using the Swastika as an example is a very obvious, concrete way to demonstrate this feedback loop of hatred. The only people who have a positive reaction about this symbol now are presumably members of neo-Nazi groups or other bigoted organizations.

The trouble can come when certain groups decide to tell others and society at large that an otherwise benign symbol is in fact indicative of hatred, bigotry, exclusion, racism, and so on.

Pepe the Frog is an example of a meme that began as something benign, silly, or satirical but is now listed in the Anti-Defamation League's database because it had been appropriated by white supremacist Richard B. Spencer, as well as having other uses among the alt-right.

Has Pepe now become like the Swastika? If I try to post memes involving the cartoon frog today, I run the risk of being accused of being part of hate groups, even if my intention is good hearted, fun or satirical.

Another poignant example is the confederate flag of the United States. For some people this is on par with the Swastika in terms of its representation of hatred. For others, it may simply carry cultural and historical significance of the South. They may not align the symbol with slavery, segregation, white supremacy or anything else of the sort.

However, if someone is displaying the flag for what they see as benign reasons and part of their freedom of expression, they run the risk of being pigeonholed by their peers and labeled negatively. In this case, the hatred of the symbol itself may be more powerful than what the flag represents.

Becoming aware of the greater contexts for the symbols we see in our culture will help break the negative feedback loops that can develop. Understanding that people may use the same symbols in different ways is important, as well.

It is easy to get caught up in a reactionary world and hate the people that seem the most hateful. As a counselor, I have realized that pain and trauma often play a large role in people falling into hateful and harmful ideologies and practices. Once individuals are able to identify and heal the hatred within themselves, a more loving world will begin to emerge in society.

In time, symbols of love will be the norm and there will be nothing left to hate. Individuals taking responsibility for their own perceptions and their own pain is the key to creating a more harmonious world for all.

www.seedsoflove.ca