Forum Post: Common symbol of support for all places
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 18, 2011, 2:33 a.m. EST by RHJIII
(6)
from Toledo, OH
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
I'm trying to float the idea of all OWS supporters knowing that a specific, easily obtainable symbolic gesture can show support in all places. Ideally, this would be a colored band or strip of fabric around the arm, head, ect.
The idea is to let people see the support in common places. Offices, Schools, Home, Grocery stores, ect. It will start conversations. It will bring greater awareness of the movement to those who have been ignoring OWS or believing it to be dead or unwanted. It will tell others who are on the fence that OWS is supported and that they shouldn't be afraid to do so, even if they can't get out in the streets.
I want to wear my support 'on-my-sleeve' so to speak, and for it to be recognizable.
Suggestions for the choice of color have included Yellow, Blue, Black, or Red. Can we have some discussion on this idea? Perhaps someone propose it to the NYCGA as an ongoing action?
- Solidarity from Toledo, OH.
Great Idea!!
As I do more research and engage in conversation about this in different places, White is quickly making itself the leading suggestion.
Advantages of White: White is the armband of Anti-Poverty, and a site http://slaveuprising.com/ advocates the wearing of white armbands as a sign against enslavement to government and corporate profiteering. While I don't agree with all the statements that site makes, I think that the idea still lends complementary support to the overall OWS goals. White is also most visible against the darker colored clothing and coats that will be worn during the coming cold months.
(More cynically, white also means both innocence and blood from physical abuses we may receive shows quite starkly against white.)
Green of the Arab Spring is a reference to Islam, and while I have no problem with it, I also have no connection to it and we must be aware that our opponents will try to twist the meaning into something it is not. Black is for mourning. Red is Republican or ,as they Republican pundits most likely will twist it, communisim. Blue is Democrat. Yellow seems to have been for Liberal Democrat/Democrat underground (never heard of them).
How about a pin? Pin it to your collar, sleeve, shirt pocket, etc. Maybe in the shape of the solidarity fist or the 99%. Maybe the bitch dancing on top the Wall Street bull. I mean ballerina.
I want to avoid suggesting a pin which likely would have to be bought from one individual attempting to profit off the movement. It should be readily available to anyone so inclined anywhere for little or no money.
A colored cloth armband can be made, several resulting from one appropriate colored old shirt for example, bought as a bandana, or bought from any store that sells cloth, either from their scraps bin or off a by-the-foot bolt.
We want as wide and simple symbol as possible. Low barrier to entry for showing support. I'd rather folks inclined to spend more money just donate it to a GA (near them or the NYCGA) than buy a pin.
Finally, we want it to be visible and unobtrusive. Having worn armbands for games, ect, they fit the bill. Noticeable from 100 feet, small, lightweight and not interfering with vision, hands, ect.
Good point. Costing nothing is definitely in the spirit of the movement. I do want to point out, however, that OWS as a rule isn't against capitalism although some of the more naive among the crowd think it is the problem. If someone were to print t-shirts, for example, then donate a decent portion toward a good cause, be it OWS or otherwise, that is the true sense of capitalism in my opinion. But I do agree, your idea is much better; free, highly-visible, and unified.
Red would be most appropriate for this movement.