Is the “OK” hand sign still innocent or does it mean something else now?

[Cobra14]

As in the KZOK psychodelic hand logo as an example. OK hand gesture/sign is used by some groups as a symbol of something else I don’t feel like mentioning. You can search for it and get the info for what I’m talking about. It’s a dog whistle for them. What are your thoughts about the OK hand sign? Should it still be used as an innocent gesture or recognize it as a symbol of that other stuff?

 

[Mikey Radio]

Not quite sure how a discussion about a hand gesture that, over the years has developed into a symbol of the "white power" movement relates to radio broadcasting, but yes, that has occurred. That said, many symbols have more than one meaning. Take the rainbow for instance. It can mean everything from finding a pot of gold with Leprechauns to hope, to the sun coming out after a storm to diversity to a symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement. To others, it could simply be a colorful decoration without any symbolism or meaning to them personally at all.

 

[Cobra14]

It’s the long used logo KZOK has used for decades. That’s how it relates to this discussion.

 

[Cobra14]

Let me narrow the discussion a little bit. If you had knowledge of the evolution behind the previously innocuous gesture would you still use it for your station branding or would you begin to distance yourself from it? That might help make this topic seem relevant to someone who may not otherwise understand why it is.

 

[Mikey Radio]

Let me narrow the discussion a little bit. If you had knowledge of the evolution behind the previously innocuous gesture would you still use it for your station branding or would you begin to distance yourself from it?

That depends. Going back to my previous comment about rainbows...There are TV and radio stations with rainbows or rainbow colors in their logos, including NBC, but those logos were in many cases part of their branding long before the rainbow became a key symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement, and no one in their right mind is accusing those stations or networks of being "woke", for instance, because of the rainbow in their branding.. I'd say the same thing about the "OK" sign, especially if it's been part of that station's logo far before it was hijacked and became known by some as a signal of a racist movement. That said, on the flip side of the argument, there are other logos or mascots that have been changed or deleted due to their modern-day implications. The former Washington Redskin and Cleveland Indian, both RIP, are examples.

 

[Cobra14]

Some of the political implications regarding network media does in fact perceive those outlets as being “woke” and that includes NBC. Not because of the logo, but some of the programming that’s on. So the programming represents more of the political leanings of the network. Late night shows like Seth Meyers as an example. In that regard, the rainbow logo could become “hijacked” as you said and become something of a symbol of such, long after it became the station logo. Depending on an individuals political perspectives that they personally subscribe to “woke” may be a compliment or an insult. It’s a matter of personal leaning. There’s perception and then there’s reality.

As you mentioned, former mascots have been distanced away from or changed, given the new perspectives or realization that it may be hurtful to a large part of our country and social fabric. That’s probably what could be referred to as “wokism”. Again could be a compliment or insult there.