Signs and Symbols ~ What do they mean?

In the social imagination, we use signs and symbols to communicate meaning.

What are some of the most used symbols in America? The dollar bill as a symbol of money/commerce/status/wealth and superiority, the capitol as a symbol of organized power/prestige/authority under one dome, the White House as a symbol of power/prestige/status and authority, the Washington monument as a symbol of power and authority, the flag as a symbol of power and superior unification -solidarity, the bald eagle as a symbol of superior authority, the statue of liberty as a symbol of power (strength in unity) and prestige, the Abraham Lincoln monument as a symbol of wisdom in that there is strength in unity, the Constitution as a symbol of structured power and authority and strength in unity, and the Declaration of Independence as a symbol of the self determination of a nation, the shape of the United States as a symbol of organized unity, city skylines as symbols of conquest/ commerce and progress, famous bridges as symbols of going the distance (power over place) to get from one place to another -expansion.

There are other symbols out there as well. When you look around... what is modern society telling you?

If we look to television news (sensationalism), the government (corrupt politics), Hollywood (sex and violence), the East coast (big banking), the West (wild entertainment and lifestyles), the South (racism), the North (industry and money) the Midwest (family and religion)... what do you see?  Certainly, we could say that we see a lot of diversity and that would be right. We could say that we see a lot of sensationalism and wonder who is behind it or corruption and wonder who is behind it. We could say that we see a lot of sex and violence and wonder who is behind it. We could say that we see a lot of division racially and economically and wonder who is behind it. We could say that we see American families and churches falling apart and wonder who is behind it ~ who is promoting these images/symbols and their meaning.

You /We are!

We use signs and symbols to communicate who we are to each other and others.  That is how the social imagination works.