The Power of Symbolic Action in Revolution

Upon learning that Osama Bin Laden has been killed after nearly a decade of persecution, one of my first thoughts was how powerful such a simple occurrence would be. Death occurs in war often without notice, but the shooting of Osama Bin Landen is so much more than a war death. That is because of the symbolism attached to the act. While in reality this shooting only ended the life of someone who helped harm America in a very serious way some years ago, to thousands of Americans this shooting is the end of an era. It symbolizes justice, retribution, payback, and so much more. 

The role is symbolic action in influencing a nation of people is incredibly interesting, especially within the context of youth revolt. In particular, think of the many video clips and photos of mobs of young people tearing down statues of their oppressors, taking a symbolic swipe at the power that individual holds. On a more peaceful level, student resistance often uses symbolic action to make their stand. In the states students last month took a vow of silence for 25 hours in order to show solidarity against child abuse in the U.S. 

While symbolic actions against an entity, trend, or movement do not usually result directly in social change, what they achieve is exposure and often a rapid-fire expansion of support and enthusiasm for the cause. I saw this first hand this week, when many of my most apathetic of friends were inspired by a surge of patriotism at the death of Osama Bin Laden. This same method is often found in cases of student resistance and revolution. From wearing symbolic clothing to their school or university to attract attention to their cause, to physically causing the destruction of something like a building, person, or statue in order to show the seriousness of their devotion to change while also garnering attention, support, and exposure.