For a Critique of the Political Economy of the Sign

I've borrowed a title from Jean Baudrillard because it is the most appropriate summary of my recent social upheaval.
(Allow me to preface my self-explanation with the promise that I do not purposefully seek trouble; it never makes its way into my daily agenda yet seems to have declared a fixed position in my day-to-day life. I justify this fact by telling myself that I merely notice all of those silly, unnecessary constraints on freedom that most people take for granted. Once noticed I am thus inclined to thrust these constraints into a spotlight with a "SEE? SEE?" gesture and ask everyone I come across why we let these silly things persist - why are we okay with them? Because that's the way it is - - no, not good enough.)

An aggrandized introduction for a simple issue: signs.

The trouble began almost a month ago when I shamelessly hoisted a rather large OBAMA sign in my bedroom window. In any other window, the sign would have gone unmentioned, but I live on campus -- more specifically, my bedroom window is directly adjacent to the front entrance of my building. All of the poor souls entering or exiting the building (done quite often now with an endless string of touring teenagers with parents in toe parading about) are practically forced to gaze upon my blue-eyed Obama sign. Still, for several weeks, all was quiet on the home front.

The first complaint came in the form of a dowdy RA named Emily. My purpose is not to slight Emily in any way (though public policing is a touchy subject) but rather to introduce the first visible action-figure in the University's Repressive State Apparatus (yes, Dr. Morgan, I was listening), that leering counterpart to the Ideological State Apparatus that is the very embodiment of "University." Here we have her: the typical RA, a smiling big sister who welcomes students into residence life with her friendly-but-not-too-friendly aroma of academia. She's young, she's likable, she's everything the University wants in a student - - mindful of her mindlessness. For a minute we almost forget that it's our big sister who pulls our hair and steals our favorite candy bars.

Emily came wielding a declaration: I must remove the sign! She cited a rule, which I asked her to produce specifically. She wielded a copy of the resident's handbook; still I refused to kill my windObama. Frankly, I was not very polite. Out-in-out mean is more appropriate. I really should seek out poor Emily and apologize to her. As soon as this scuffle is over, that is.

Since Emily's visit, additional RA's have come knocking on my door, each equipped with a bullying attitude and a synthetic sense of righteousness (with the exception of Lize, who is lovely). I've been threatened with "official hearings" and "reports" of some kind.
With only two weeks left until election day, the time has come to plead my case to you, dear ones, as you are an unbiased party.

Here are the facts:

The Residence Life Handbook DOES include a rule about window decorations. It says:

Decorations may not be visible from outside the apartment, with the exception of holiday decorations which must be:
1) appropriate for the holiday being celebrated;
2) displayed only during the time period immediately surrounding the holiday;
3) appropriate for a community living environment; and
4) must comply with all fire and facility regulations.

It then goes on to forbid live trees and empty alcohol bottles.

So should I feel the need to litter my window with ghosts, menorahs, or turkeys, I'd be free to do so.

When the RAs come knocking, my initial response is usually "Election Day is a national holiday - back off!" Unfortunately this is not exactly true. Election Day is NOT a national holiday; because election processes are decided on a state-by-state basis, holiday status is granted by the state government. Georgia is not one of the states patriotic enough to declare Election Day as such. (We did secede from the Union after all.) There have been several initiatives to make Election Day a federal holiday, renamed Democracy Day. A bill, HR 63, was raised in 2005 by Michigan congressman John Conyers but died in committee; its sister saw a similar fate in the Senate. In 2007 the bill was reborn but was put on the back burner.
Today it stands with 110 cosigners, waiting for consideration.

That being said, Election Day IS recognized as a "National Day of Importance" ...
Halloween, however, has no such standing. It is not recognized as a holiday or as important. Halloween may be perfectly wonderful, but its window propaganda has no more right to litter windows than my WindObama. Less, in my book.

The University is an institution that promotes socio-political awareness!! It cannot put stipulations on that endorsement! That would be (and is) blatant hypocrisy. Althusser would have had a field day here.

While I was typing this I received yet another visit from those shiny-toothed RAs. It's official: I've been "written-up". I feel like a misbehaving child. How silly: I made it through twelve years of public school without one violation of the rules, and here I am, a sophomore in college, with a big slap on the wrist. I am to schedule a hearing immediately. "Official determination of charges will be made by hearing officer." Charges? Sign in window. The tag team of RAs that came to inform me of my fate filled in the "Reason for Notice/Alleged Violation" area with: "Political sign in bedroom facing outside. Repeated times asked to take down (with several RAs) and stands strong about issue."

I've been encouraging many to protest this rule by taping signs in their windows - any sort of sign they could think up - and many have (thank you!!).
Now I'd like to ask you to fine tune your efforts. Got a political opinion? Paste it up! There are campaign headquarters locally that would be more than happy to provide you with signs. (The Obamastore is on Cobb Parkway. There HAS to be a McCain store just as close.) Handmade signs are awesome too. If you don't support a candidate or aren't a citizen or whatever, you can encourage others by taping up the word "Vote" - get creative! Make it personal!

Our freedoms are important. Let us not forget what we stand for, or we shall surely fall.


Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Dastardly Things

It's a shame that the weather has been so delightful as of late.
In the south, summer crashes into December, gets a bruise on its knee, crosses its arms and pouts until March when freeze-tag is out of fashion and follow-the-leader is the game to be played. We've reached the reckless, top-speed months now, ready with band-aids and aloe vera for the next unstoppable collision. Welcome to late October, the Spider Season. Our temps - - still a gasping 83 degrees, and while the rest of the country is out on a biannual shopping spree for the latest jean fads, I can relax in my short shorts in the grass and show off my curving calves.
So why the sad face with such smiling weather?
I write best when it's uncomfortably morose outdoors! Hurricane season is a favorite (despite the repetitious news hour) with its endless string of gray. But Georgia hasn't seen rain since dinosaurs, at least, so I've been out of luck.
Tish tosh. I'll bite my lip and twiddle my pen until January.