Framing without Words: Logos and Emblems

Forget using words. Framing at its essence is about reflecting your message. In the words of advertising speak, its about 'branding'. The thing about branding is that its almost all about visuals. Visuals are the most effective tools to carry a message, not words. Visuals that take the place of your spoken message are even more effective. Like logos.

Logos are shown again and again in various ways, and become a extremely valuable part of the 'branding' process. In a similar way, we should be 'branding' our ideas into visual symbols. Technically, this is called an emblem. If we can make a simple visual image to demonstrate our support for a specific cause, its much easier to unite behind it, and much harder to dispute it.
So how do we do that?...

The first thing to evaluate is how emblems are used. Usually, they represent a cause, not the group behind it. A group's logo will identify themselves, but not carry their ideas independently. So such emblems should not be directly associated with one group. Further, it is much easier to bandwagon behind a cause, and be willing to display the symbol of that cause when you don't specifically link it to one organization.

The progressive movement incorporates many causes. Thus we need emblems for: a) specific causes in the movement b) causes that can represent the overall movement. Using both approaches together is probably the best move. At the moment, my analysis will be focusing on the later idea, though.

If you think about it, the most potent political symbol today has no relationship with any political group. But they do correlate with support for the republicans. The commonly seen 'yellow ribbons' are often used to represent the 'you are with us or against us' brand of nationalism. This polarizing feeling has a destructive effect on any opposition to the 'nationalistic' cause. Thus, it is my opinion that progressives must provide a symbol that counters this emotion. But what?

First narrow it down to which ideas to use. The simple idea of political dissent is a good start, but hard to clarify. Other common ideas are 'liberty', 'freedom', 'truth' and the like. Bandfortruth.com has an good start on using the truth idea. But a word and a band does not an emblem make.

Although creating an entirely new emblem would be possible, 'borrowing' an already existing one is helpful, since you can use the known connotations of the symbol. Using the previous ideas given, there are a lot of existing symbols that we can use. A torch, the Phrygian cap,, the eagle, the statue or goddess of liberty, (liberty) bell, white chrysanthemums, etc.

An important point to keep in mind is that such an emblem needs to be in widespread use. Thus, it should be easily displayed through posters, t-shirts, bracelets, bumper stickers, etc etc. More, it should be linked with a specific color, so that color could substitute for the emblem itself in a pinch.

My main aim here is to foster discussion on this topic, but it helps if I at least try to provide an emblem to use. While not well known, the rose is the national flower of the U.S. If you read about the White Rose Society (WWII German resistance movement), we have excellent connotations from the viewpoint of dissent. A white rose can be used in many different situations, so it could be a good emblem. My only problem is that I'm not sure if it is a powerful enough symbol.