Forum Post: We need a supporters symbol.
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 4, 2011, 2:37 p.m. EST by RickSHAW
(5)
from Colchester, VT
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
The black panthers had one black gloved hand in a fist. Many causes turn to colored ribbons. What can OWS supporters wear that would demonstrate our solidarity? My thought is an American flag bandanna tied around the wrist, to be worn at all times. It will get dirty, but that's part of the symbolism.
If we have a symbol that we can wear, our numbers would be easier to recognize. Not everybody can make it out to the camps, but I for one would love to show support in some way.
Any other ideas? I think this would make our cause harder to ignore, because of the large number of supporters who are going unrecognized.
If you think we need a supporters symbol make one up. That's how things are done at OWS. If you think we need a leader, look in a mirror. If you think we need a leader around a particular issue (such as designing a symbol or getting it approved at a GA) look in a mirror. If you are not a designer then perhaps your leadership skills are more along the line of finding a designer. OR, just start wearing whatever symbol you think is appropriate and see if it catches on.
In terms of "making it" to an occupation, nearly everyone has two days a week off and most people are at least within a couple of hours of an occupation, so getting to an occupation once for a day should not be prohibitively burdensome for most people. After that, if it is truly prohibitive to get to an occupation regularly at least on a part time basis, it seems to me that the primary obligation of supporters is to try and start a GA close enough to them so that they could participate in it regularly on at least a part time basis
I live a short walk/bike ride from where Occupy Burlington was. I helped set up the tepee there, two days before Gogol Bordello did their live acoustic show, quickly overshadowed by the suicide that caused the shutdown of the camp. Sadly, I have no way to get to a GA, but I hoped someone here might, so they could pass the idea along.
I will start to wear the bandanna Wednesday, the closest thing I have to a day off this week. If you agree that it's a good idea, I hope you will help this catch on.
WOLVES DUDE.
wolves.
Wolves used to be the dominant animal in north america. They were everywhere. People feared them, so they annihilated wolf populations everywhere they settled; but wolves refuse to die, and whenever a wolf population is reintroduced to an area, it grows in no time at all and quickly dominates the region once again. So much so that the population usually has to be cleared out again. This pattern is parallel to the pattern of occupations and evictions in our movement.
But more importantly, wolves are really cool.
democrats are donkeys and republicans are elephants. those animals are just stupid. let's be wolves!
...
please?
I like your enthusiasm! And your logic is sound. Perhaps you could send that idea along here: https://sites.google.com/site/the99percentdeclaration/
thats a horrible idea. lol. wolves
But with the talk of this becoming a political party, it is fitting that we have an animal to compete with the donkey and the elephant. Plus, wolves are indeed badass, so they have a natural attraction.
but woooolllvvvesss
How about this:
http://www.webgrrls.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Occupy-your-mind.jpg
Great idea as a logo or a patch, but I was more thinking something that could be an accessory to what you already have on.
If you start producing this as a button, I'd buy a bunch and promote it on facebook and reddit.
A simple dark ribbon with just one tip a lighter color to represent the 99% vs the 1%.
The pie chart poster idea is another good way. You can expand the idea to any round object where you color in or emphasise the 99% of the circle.
Crafters....using patterns of ten strands where one of the ten is a contrasting color to show the disparity between the 99% and the 1%. (Yes I know that is really 10%, but we are trying to find workable metaphors people can put to use to forward our cause.)
That's a great idea, little rainbow stickers in the workplace did wonders for the pride movement. Its subtle little way to let people know you support equality.
http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/150/i/2011/192/9/1/zeitgeist_planet_minimised_by_zginversion-d3n34c7.jpg
How about just wearing OWS on something? Put it on a cap, a shirt, anything you want, any color you want, just make it big bold letters.
Take it from a global perspective. No flagwaving, since the majority of the 99% aren't americans nor wish to be. A universal symbol that all revolutionaries and 100% of humanity will recognize? That mustached boardgame character with the tophat. With some creativity ows volunteers/supporters can alter the image to avoid civil court, yet preserve the intuitive symbology. Envision its applications globally - from crests, silkscreened stuff vended at occupy events, etc. I see this image hovering over marchers in inflated forms. Later, a lo-tech pasting of specific cronies' photos are applicable easily. That isn't the goodyear blimp football fans! Peace!
I really like the patriotic symbolism of the flag, if there was some way to make such a thing easily obtainable. I think it would be a terrific idea! Personally, I don't know where I could get an American flag wrist band, without trying to make one myself; hardly practicle.
Dollar bill in flames.
Supporter logo,,, supporter,, like a jock strap?