Symbols and the Occupy Movements

[itsagoodlife440]

Hello, so I’m sure that these questions have probably been asked several times already, but I’m doing a bit of research on the importance of the Guy Fawkes mask (V For Vendetta) in the Occupy Movement and I’d like to know some of the opinions about how the mask as a symbol connects with the protesters and what it stands for by those who have worn it during the movement (is the mask (including the man(?) behind it) associated more along the lines of the abstract (for example, the mask means liberation, solidarity, social justice, rebellion etc.) or is it simply a matter of its popularity (identity, is it just cool to wear the mask?). I particularly find it interesting that this mask/symbol is quite noticeable in the depiction of the movements by the media and freelance photographers, whereas the image of Che Guevara (most notably Korda's Guerrillero Heroico) doesn't seem to be present. This comes as a surprise because the antiglobalisation movement of the late 1990's carried the banner of Che in its opposition to the WTO, IMF, and World Bank. It would seem that the animosity directed towards the financial institutes (Wall Street, big banks, etc.) today in the U.S. (the major backer of the mentioned financial institutions in the previous sentence) would wave the image of Che, but instead the Guy Fawkes mask has taken this role. Obviously the opinions that are expressed are limited to those who have internet access in this case, thus it is not representative of people who do not use the internet (and of course people who don’t visit this forum). Regardless, I figured that this would be a good place to start in order to formulate a picture of what the mask means to the people who have been involved in any of the movements (active protesters) and non-active protesters (those who have not physically protested, yet sympathize with the movement and voice support for it.) And heck, while we're at it, why doesn't it seem that Che Guevara's image is prominent in the Occupy Movements? I’d appreciate any input or feedback that pertains to these questions.

[Decolonize The Left]

I have never worn one of those masks, but it's quite simply a way to express an identification with a larger idea/movement. It is a vague identification, basically an anti-corporate protest symbol.

It also has the added benefit of preserving one's anonymity in public.

- August

[Prometeo liberado]

The wearing of the Che t-shirts or other symbols is all fine and dandy but is sometimes a substitute for real knowledge of the issues being debated. What I mean is there are far too many people willing to take it for granted that if one side of the mob is wearing Che shirts than all thinking ceases and one should just follow them. Having superior symbols is no substitute for superior ideas.

[Lanky Wanker]

It is a vague identification, basically an anti-corporate protest symbol.


An old friend of mine who wanted to join the pigs was complaining about university protesters and pointing out that they're against corporatism yet they were all paying money into the company's pockets by buying the masks. Kinda made me think... DIY masks would make a better point I reckon.

[itsagoodlife440]

I have never worn one of those masks, but it's quite simply a way to express an identification with a larger idea/movement. It is a vague identification, basically an anti-corporate protest symbol.

It also has the added benefit of preserving one's anonymity in public.

- August
Good point on the notion of a vague identification. Its meaning is up to interpretation really, which would make it a floating signifier (just a fancy way of saying that it doesn't have a definite meaning). I thought this particular mask was an interesting choice, because of the context in which it was popularized by the movie (though the artwork is decades older). In that way, I mean that it’s very suiting because the portrayed enemy in American society is incarnated in the form of a terrorist (some critics have argued that V is essentially a terrorist), at least since September 11, 2011. Because the “terrorist” doesn’t have a recognizable face (other than the stereotype of a radical Muslim jihadist etc., which is very political), it’s very ironic that some protesters would use this particular symbol because in a way, it’s mocking how authority can’t put a face on terror; the mask is representing that which cannot be rooted out and destroyed.

[citizen of industry]

An old friend of mine who wanted to join the pigs was complaining about university protesters and pointing out that they're against corporatism yet they were all paying money into the company's pockets by buying the masks. Kinda made me think... DIY masks would make a better point I reckon.

How would you DIY? By using materials you have on hand. And where did those materials come from? Other products, which you bought from corporations. I don't like your old friend's line of argument. As if we have a choice not to consume commodities produced by capitalists in a capitalist mode of production.

[Lanky Wanker]

How would you DIY? By using materials you have on hand. And where did those materials come from? Other products, which you bought from corporations. I don't like your old friend's line of argument. As if we have a choice not to consume commodities purchased by capitalists in a capitalist mode of production.

I suppose it's just the idea that by buying a particular mask you all give your money to one huge business unlike if you were to get it from a local place. Same story at the end of the day though, yeah. She was basically trying to find things to pick at them about.