Video: Symbols of Hate: A Community Discussion

Symbols—such as gestures, signs, objects, signals, and words—help people understand the world. They provide clues to understanding experiences by conveying recognizable meanings that are shared by societies. The world is filled with symbols. But symbols also have a dark side, especially when they are used to convey hate and bias.

Today we see a proliferation of Confederate flags, swastikas, hand gestures, and other symbols of oppression. Just two years ago the whipping post was finally removed from the grounds of the Old Sussex County Courthouse.

What do these symbols mean in today’s society, what harm are they causing and what can we do to counter them?