you don't need consumerism or mass media to be happy
you don't need consumerism or mass media to be happy
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The MPLA abandoned its former Marxist ideology at its third party congress in 1990, and declared social democracy to be its new platform.
Yes I'm aware of the history of Angola.
You asked
Are there any countries that use the symbol that are actually nice places to live with good governments?
Angola has made a conscious decision to stick to this symbol as if transitions to a liberal democracy and stable economy. There were some efforts to change the flag recently because as you said it's often associated with totalitarian regimes. But those efforts failed because to Angolans it symbolizes the Angolan triumph over the colonial oppression of Portugal and resistance to apartheid South African invasion.
It could change in the future, Angola is still moving towards "good government" and "nice place to live" as you said. But for now it remains their national flag.
Interesting. That being said I don't understand the lemmygrad peoples desire for the Hammer and sickle as a symbol. Like almost nothing good has come from it. Even in Angola it seems to be viewed as a somewhat tarnished period in their history.
I get what you mean, I'm helping to add nuance to the discussion. Also a bunch of white people coming in and telling Angolans what symbols they can and can't use to represent their triumph over colonialism and apartheid isn't a great look either.
Meaning is also contextual - different cultures put different meaning in symbols. To represent global ideas we need some consensus.
Baltic neo-pagans were rigtfully culturally suppressed from using swastika as "symbol of Sun". Hammer and sickle also signifies millions of deaths and decades of repressioms. It is even forbidden in some post soviet countries along with swastika. Lets find something less damaging to represent marxist ideas.
I don't believe in these sweeping absolutes. Context and motive are important parts of any equation of what's "acceptable".
@Humana
I think the only system to believe in here is sensitivity to feelings and histories of others. If you don't mind triggering literally millions of people whose families were hurt by soviets, it is your choice.
And wouldn't you be against public display of swastikas if they are displayed by "neopagans" and supposedly symbolize Sun?Do you ban them from museums? Textbooks? Documentaries? No because they are in an appropriate context. I would never wear or display a swastika and I feel disgusted to see one displayed by anyone with pride. Context and motive matter...