12th April 2017, 2:18 PM
I've been hearing far too many progressive people praising that statue. Now, don't get me wrong, taken entirely by itself, that statue sends a clear message of defying big business in favor of women's rights, which I would be for. But, you CAN'T take it by itself. That statue was commissioned and paid for by the bank that owns the same space the bull is on. It's impossible in that light to interpret that statue as anything other than either pandering or sarcastic.
Because, and this is important, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN OPPRESSOR TO CHEER ON A REBELLION AGAINST THEM! It can't be done! It doesn't make sense! If they really believed the rebellion had a point, they would immediatly stop BEING the oppressor, but the bank didn't change anything about themselves, they just bought that statue.
At worst, rather than just pandering to them and claiming the impossible, that they are on the side of those who are against them, this statue ends up sarcastic. As in, "okay, just TRY to rebel against us little girl, see what happens". Because, well, what WOULD realistically happen if a little kid tried to stand up to a charging bull? The message is one of stubborn futility or foolishness in that light. The imagery doesn't even work very well, unless you put the bull in a cage or something (the cage symbolizes government business regulations).
Ultimately, I just wish people would see this for what it is, a stunt. ANY message of rebellion has to come FROM the rebellion, not the oppressor, or it's hollow.
Because, and this is important, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR AN OPPRESSOR TO CHEER ON A REBELLION AGAINST THEM! It can't be done! It doesn't make sense! If they really believed the rebellion had a point, they would immediatly stop BEING the oppressor, but the bank didn't change anything about themselves, they just bought that statue.
At worst, rather than just pandering to them and claiming the impossible, that they are on the side of those who are against them, this statue ends up sarcastic. As in, "okay, just TRY to rebel against us little girl, see what happens". Because, well, what WOULD realistically happen if a little kid tried to stand up to a charging bull? The message is one of stubborn futility or foolishness in that light. The imagery doesn't even work very well, unless you put the bull in a cage or something (the cage symbolizes government business regulations).
Ultimately, I just wish people would see this for what it is, a stunt. ANY message of rebellion has to come FROM the rebellion, not the oppressor, or it's hollow.
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)