C2 Chris Bell
Chris Bell
2026-07-04 · 2 min ·
cite 
@misc{bell2026wearing,
  author       = {Bell, Chris},
  title        = {{Wearing Iconography}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://chris.cbell.dev/writing/wearing-iconography/}},
  url          = {https://chris.cbell.dev/writing/wearing-iconography/},
  note         = {ORCID: 0009-0006-3476-8618}
}
ORCID 0009-0006-3476-8618
· thoughts

Wearing Iconography

At what point did "Make America Great Again" become such a negative phrase? The current ideology behind that slogan seems Trumpish11Which I think is the best way to describe a person belonging to the skeuomorfascist we currently call MAGA. A skeuomorfascist is portmanteau is the idea of emulating the aesthetic features fascism in a different cultural medium, like adopting 'protect our children' language and dictatorial decree to describe and enable pro-business policy., but there was no need for this to be the case. When I heard this term coming up, many22Including myself. retorted "Just when are you talking about?" The classic follow-up to any time given in a genuine response would be to point out the people who were oppressed at that time.1Which I think is the best way to describe a person belonging to the skeuomorfascist we currently call MAGA. A skeuomorfascist is portmanteau is the idea of emulating the aesthetic features fascism in a different cultural medium, like adopting 'protect our children' language and dictatorial decree to describe and enable pro-business policy.2Including myself.

We then fall into the classic identity politics problem, where people separate themselves based on arbitrary demographics whose meaning is limited to those who belong to or those who dislike that group. You then get the behavior of equating perfect and constantly evolving morality with meaningful ethics, which then divides everyone into further groups with no purpose. By moving the argument from real concerns into ideological ones, the PMC have fulfilled their purpose, and the push for change has turned into a simmering anger turned inward.

But I'd like to make America great. If it was once great, then I'd like to make it great again. I imagine that anyone sharing a majority of my political views would also like to change America and make it great. Why, then, did those of us who were against Trump's kakistocracy33Meaning: A government that is run by the least suitable or capable surrender such a broad statement?3Meaning: A government that is run by the least suitable or capable

We must remember that it isn't everyone against everyone, it is . Through splitting iconography, co-opting religion via the prosperity gospel, and individualized trauma unable to call for help due to cultural shame towards economic trauma, the cancer has managed to make the body fight itself. This constant division has rallied groups against one another for purely ideological differences, and this is how Carl Schmitt taught those in power to use the fascistic mindset for control.

So, wear the red hats, fly the flag, support our troops and police when they are doing the right thing. Your opinions and politics should be what identifies you, not the iconography representing those things. I'm of the opinion that everyone who wants to improve America should simply adopt this iconography (ironically or not) to prevent the most trivial us-vs-them from holding.