...and I leave them for the symbol-minded." George Carlin. Question is: Is the respect of a symbol synonymous with respect of the Item, Group, or Idea the symbol stands for? (I think so, but tell me what you think. Go on!)
2006-06-27 07:55:36 · 6 answers · asked by Strange Design 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Thats an extremely interesting question and you have made me really sit and think about my answer....
While "some" symbols deserve respect, others deserve disdain. Red ribbons for those afflicted with AIDS, or yellow ribbons for those overseas fighting for freedom deserve respect, but the symbol of the swastika deserves the exact opposite. So, at the risk of sounding wishy-washy... I think the respect of a symbol depends on what that symbol stands for...
2006-06-27 08:00:34 · answer #1 · answered by hippiemommy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think so.
For instance, I love my nation (America) and am an active participant in my community and in the political process, but I don't revere the American flag.
Why? Because I feel that the flag has become associated with values I don't hold; it is used too often as a symbol for xenophobia/the millitary instead of as a symbol for the diversity of our unified states and a love of country that doesn't have to be exclusive or blind or uncritical.
I love my country enough to want to see her flaws and to want to fix them, to want to find those people whose rights are being trampled on and to want to lift them up.
I would happily give my life to save my nation, though I wouldn't kill for it, and I resent living under a presidential administration that seems to place a higher value on murder than self-sacrifice (he's happy to send soldiers to war, but isn't committing nearly as much time/money to education and healtcare...he ignores the pleas of the grieving parents of fallen soldiers while focusing his attention on the families of potential suicide bombers, etc.)
So, I love my country, but right now, I don't love or revere her flag...some days I don't even respect the people that wear it, because I doubt that they have thought critically about what that flag means to them--what it symbolizes to them. I don't think that makes me any less respectfull of my nation, not at all.
2006-06-28 13:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by Elspeth 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In our country we don't go yellow ribbons or flags, hope we never come to that situation.
2006-06-27 15:00:20 · answer #3 · answered by Walt. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think symbols are a sign of peace, which makes me happy that something ad beautiful as peace came out of something difficult. it fills me with warmth. i don't feel sad for the dead, i feel for the ones that are dying before my eyes
2006-06-30 05:10:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Opinion's everyone has one
2006-06-27 14:59:27 · answer #5 · answered by glassbottle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so too.
2006-06-27 15:00:12 · answer #6 · answered by jdc591 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋