Symbols

 

Yesterday in American Studies we discussed the picture above. A lot of people had trouble believing that not only there were no symbols in this photo, because it happened in real life, but that there are no symbols in real life what so ever. I disagree with those who think that. I think there are many symbols in this photo and in real life. For one, obviously the flag is a symbol. The young man is using it as a weapon to attack a defenseless African American Lawyer. I think this is another symbol, the fact that the African American is a Lawyer, who is supposed to help serve justice is being beaten up by a teenager with an American flag. Just because all this happened in real life doesn't mean that they are not symbols. For example, in class we discussed the different symbols that identify teachers and students. The teacher sits behind a desk in the center of the room, this is a clear symbol to the students that this guy is in charge. Students carry heavy backpacks, while the teachers do not. A car or house can symbolize how successful someone is. Symbols exist all around us.