Satire, Symbols and Society: How Objects Have Been Crucial to Social Change, by Andrew Vear

Democracy Rows. Controversial Trade Deals. Women’s Rights. Black Lives Matter.

When we think of protest movements, many think of the people marching through the streets and the iconic quotes they say, and rightly so.

But from umbrellas in Hong Kong to sunflowers in Taiwan, objects have worked as symbolic tools to propel thoughts into action for decades. They have helped to win rights, change laws and even take down presidents.

Think of recent times just in the UK. The anti-Trump protests in London were defined in the media by the ‘baby Trump’ blimp.

The worker bee of Manchester came back into fruition following the Manchester Arena attacks, bringing people together and commemorating those lost.

Even graffiti master Banksy has waded in, creating artwork alleged to protest against pollution from steelworks.

‘Disobedient Objects’

Objects which fight the status quo came into the spotlight in 2014 when London’s V&A museum launched Disobedient Objects, its most successful exhibition since 1946 which demonstrated political activism symbols. 

Items shown included inflatable cobblestones thrown at police in Barcelona by protestors in 2012 and an iconic tea set by the Suffragette movement which depicts an angel of freedom motif and was used as a method of propaganda by the women to promote their struggle to vote and convince their neighbours who were opposed to the idea. 

These objects help promote the idea of out-designing authority and using something physical to promote dissent and push social movements. They are often overlooked by documentarians, but have been crucial methods of intelligent social change.

Cacerolazo

A Cacerolazo is a popular protest form which involves groups of people making noise by banging on ordinary home items such as pots, pans and other utensils in a call for attention.

People can even protest from their own homes, which means that it’s often widespread and achieves a high level of support.

Cacerolazo has been done across the world, but one country quite prevalent in the act is Argentina.

In December 2001, Argentina experienced a period of civil unrest and rioting due to an economic crisis which led to the government draining may bank deposits so people found their savings were unavailable.

The cacerolazos broke out spontaneously by 14 million Argentinians, and played a vital role in the resignations of two presidents. 

Why does it work? The immediacy, the spontaneity, the fact that anyone can join just by leaning out of their balcony, and the effective message of deep dissatisfaction from the population.

LGBT

Every June, the world comes together to celebrate LGBT Pride, with festivals and parades extending throughout the summer.

This year will be the 50th anniversary of Pride, as LGBT communities have been holding demonstrations against acts of violence and for being accepted for who they are since 1969.

The symbolic rainbow flag we all know is celebrated across the world.

It was originally created with eight colours by American artist and gay rights activist Gilbert Baker for the Gay Freedom Pride Parade in San Francisco in 1978, before it was whittled down to six colours years later. 

Today, those six colours - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet - stand for life, healing, sunlight, nature, peace and spirit. This flag is proudly displayed by millions to show their support and solidarity. 

Baker decided to make it a flag because he saw it as one of the most powerful symbols, but this flag has now been emblazoned onto into sunglasses, wrist bands, bags, t-shirts and badges for a universal way for people to show their support for LGBT during both the promising and difficult times.

Black Lives Matter

The collective power that objects like pots and pans and even hoodies can have when repurposed with political intent is game-changing.

In the US in 2012 following the tragic death of black 17-year-old Trayvon Martin who was killed by George Zimmerman for looking suspicious in a hoodie, there was controversy over the notion that hoodies are ‘sinister’.  

As a sign of solidarity and protest to this crime, thousands of Americas joined the ‘Million Hoodie March” held to express their support and the absurdity of the killing.

This act gave hoodies a whole new meaning and became emblematic, sparking the movement Black Lives Matter, which is continuing to make a difference against violence and systemic racism towards black people today.

Objects that Object

Humour is also used as a protest weapon. Editor of Private Eye Ian Hislop and co-curator of the British Museum had his own exhibition: I Object, which was an array of objects which objected social stances and showed how people poked fun at those in control of their lives in a satirical movement.

Humour can also help people feel more together, such as a ‘Make America Gay Again’ badge in protest of Trumps infamous Make America Great Again message.

Aiming to get the last laugh, other examples include an engraver from the Seychelles who hid the word SEX in the palm trees on a bank note, which was published towards the end of British colonial rule. 

Other items included a papier mache depiction of a Mexican factory owner in Day of the Dead and a suffragette slogan of ‘votes for women’ from 1903 on the king’s head of a coin.

Successful campaigns and causes come about by actively engaging people - it’s that simple. People need to think and feel like they are a part of something bigger. 

From the death penalty to workers’ rights, objects can help people to rally around a cause and feel part of a community, that their voice is not alone. 

They do not have to be noisy, they just need to resonate with other people. Ultimately, they can and do help to turn a small thought into lasting protests.

Andrew Vear, is the Owner at eBadges.