Thank you to Kimberly who replied off list..... and to Karen who replied to
the list....
I have no intention of using the Crossroads site with students....
and I certainly didn't mean to imply that symbols were "bad". Remember me?
the one who points out what is good in all religions/beliefs we study in
art class?
I am the one who teaches respect for all world religions.
Symbolism is very important to me in my own artwork -- and I DO have
students do artwork with symbolism. As a art educator, I want to be aware
of gang symbols (just to protect my self -- as gang symbols are NOT
accepted or tolerated in my school). One of my students last year did a
drawing of his hand in a gang sign -- as soon as I became aware of the
meaning, I removed the drawing from display. He accepted my explanation as
to who I removed it.
My intent was to point out that while some symbols have a negative meaning
to some cultures -- they have a positive meaning to another. For instance,
I have found many sites online that explain the positive meaning of the
swastika to many native American cultures.
Kim no longer has her bookmarks so I will do some searching. If any of you
have run across sites that explain gang symbols and so many of the other
symbols kids like to use -- please post. I will do my own searches after I
see what your folks were able to provide.
