The Modern Outcry!

The Modern Outcry!

A revolt of symbology

By Brian Moses

     A long time ago, the indigenous peoples of North America lived comfortably with their respective neighbors. The arrival of a new enemy from across the sea would change everything for them. In just 400 years they were all but exterminated. They were relentlessly hunted, murdered, poisoned and starved into submission. With each progression of the enemy, more of their lands and lives were taken, and in each turn, they learned to live with less.

     With all these people now called Native Americans or American Indians, they were forced to live on small plots of land, with little to no food, and plagued by the outside forces that ground away the lands the once peacefully inhabited. Many were lost to this endeavor, but these strong willed people survived, and to this day create some of the most beautiful artworks conceived by man.

    Their many different styles included symbols to represent their culture and to tell stories to be passed down to their children's children along with the items they created and the symbols upon them to help the storyteller remember the story. 

     This enemy would have enemies of it's own however, and would re-enter a war on a new battlefield, Germany. With the introduction of a powerful army that sought to take the planet by storm, and enforce its prejudice racial supremacy over all. This army known to the world as the Nazi regime, stole a symbol, and made it their own....the Swastika.

     Many cultures over the planet have used this symbol in various forms, be they reversed or inverted, sometimes both, with and without additional adornments. The Native American cultures had several very similar symbols. They were used on everyday items.This tobacco bag was very common. However, the Nazi's had desecrated their symbol, and made it instill fear and hatred in the eyes of the world, and the Natives knew it!







    So, rather than fighting a political battle to save the symbols original meaning, and continue its use, they decided it was best to let it go. They signed a voluntary declaration to cease its usage indefinitely, and surrendered another small portion of their heritage. Better this, than risk their lives and their hope at rebuilding their society.







    America has been fighting a war since Columbus landed, but the restless natives were not the only enemy. A division amongst the political ranks lead to 2 rather large factions rising against each other, the Union, and the Confederacy. The Union gathered momentum trying to bring the territories under one banner and creating a solid government leading a nation of laws. The Confederacy lead a furious rebel contingent to support their free lifestyles. Gold played a big hand in this Civil War, as the Confederates would use gold as their primary exchange, and the Union would hold onto its gold and exchange it for the Dollar. Slaves were also valuable, the Confederates would use their slaves in battle, and when needed, they would trade them for gold. The Union seeing the weakness, leaped at the opportunity, and demanded freedom of all slaves. This move eventually won them the war, and marked the Confederacy and their proud symbol as a sign of endorsed slavery and oppression.

    In recent news their was a tragic event, when a disturbed white youth, shot and killed 9 black people in a church during services. He allegedly wanted to start a race war. This has rekindled a passion against the Confederate symbol. Most of the country has united against the symbol, burning their flags, and asking major retailers to remove the flags from their stores, and stop profiting on this symbol of hate. Walmart amongst several, have voluntarily removed them from the shelves. However many people have refused to back down. Declaring that it's not a symbol of hate, and they are right, it really is just a symbol of whatever they wish it to be. However, learning from the past and seeing the effects of a symbol being misused, we should out of respect for those who've lost loved ones, and out of respect for those who see it as a symbol of hate, it will not hurt them to remove this flag. The Natives removing just a symbol have lived on, and so can they.

Glass and Guns collide!

I find it interesting that companies, business, restaurants, have begun to ban the use of Google Glass in their establishments. As a business with concerns of data protection, I can understand how this could be of vital importance, but as restaurants and public areas have banned them, it makes no sense. 

It is no different than pulling out a phone and grabbing a snapshot, its just a matter of convenience for the person taking the picture. The same thought goes into taking the picture with Glass as a person taking a picture with their phone or camera. You probably wouldn't take candid photos of others with Glass without their knowledge and consent.

In that way, it can be compared to a gun. As an open carry activist I am often asked about my sidearm, and most people walk away assured of their safety, rather than panicked of the idea of a gun in the vicinity. I think this applies the same way with Glass. 

As a responsible operator of the device in question, do you shun the individual for carrying it, or do thank the individual who was able to help in an out of control situation? 

If a person is robbing a bank and has the cleverness to spray paint all the cameras on the wall, would you still be upset for me wearing  Glass and snapping a few shots or video recording the whole event? No...you'd be all up in my business wanting every bit of evidence you could get a hold of, as soon as possible. 

The same holds for the firearm, do you want me stand by and let them rob your liquor store, or would you be glad of my intervention? 

Starbucks has had the sense to stay out of the firearm carriers way, and it has received very little gruff from either side. If I carry my gun into your store while I wear Glass on my head....which would upset you more? 

Glass is a tool in the same way a firearm is. It can be used to hurt or to help, and it is entirely up to the person carrying it to decide how to best handle the given situation. 


Image taken from Wikipedia.