Ironic symbolism

A real life experience…I was cycling to work from Brooklyn to Manhattan one fine morning a few years back, and as usual, joined a busy Broadway at around 8:50am. I had a very close shave when a Hummer H2, being driven by a young female driver, narrowly missed my bike and caused me to crash as it powered passed to the left of me. The elevation of the cab, visibility for the driver and crowded nature of a Monday morning in Manhattan makes for a dangerous combination.

Having almost being knocked off my bike and sent to the big design agency in the sky, I happened to notice that the driver had applied a pink ribbon graphic to the side of the vehicle that I understood to represent breast cancer awareness. I briefly made eye contact with the driver and being well accustomed to Manhattan driving culture and etiquette I proceeded to expose my middle finger as a sign of protest and anger.

The irony then hit me of this fascinating cultural dynamic:

The Hummer symbolizes death. Its form was born and developed from military conflict, consumption, aggression and war. Yet, the driver had chosen to decorate her vehicle with a graphic device that was born from care, compassion, empathy and reconciliation.

While I, driving a form of personal mobility born from humanity, simplicity, prudence and, as of late, sustainability, choose to display a symbol of hate, aggression, and anger.

Ironic.