Read on Twitter
Hi @nybooks. Why is Trump depicted like a Hindu deity?
This image got people online all riled up just a few days ago.
Let's look at the differences: @nybooks image shows Trump as a deity being torn down. Kamala image shows the goddess slaying a demon.
Let's look at the differences: @nybooks image shows Trump as a deity being torn down. Kamala image shows the goddess slaying a demon.
The NYRB image plays off of colonial misconceptions of multi-armed deities as scary and demon-like. In fact, the gods and goddesses slay the demons, as in the Kamala image.
As pointed out by @JoelBordeaux, images of politicians as deities isn't rare. https://twitter.com/JoelBordeaux/status/1318224825324888065
So while some may be uncomfortable with the Kamala image, the @nybooks image is much, much worse. It misunderstands the deities, makes them look evil, and advises them to be torn down.
I'd also like to point out that it is Navaratri. The goddess slays the demon and returns the land to the dharma (which we can understand as "law" or "the right way of living" or "righteousness"). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navaratri
The white supremacist OK sign is also a problem because it looks exactly like one of the mudrās used in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Also, the weapons! Can we talk about the weapons? Trump is holding a phone, a burning cross, a machine gun, a sword (?), and a couple flags. Symbols of violence and oppression.
Devī also holds a sword. She uses it to cut through ignorance, darkness, lawlessness, illusion, etc. Here's an article that discusses the symbols of her weapons. https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/culture/story/maa-durga-puja-navratri-weapons-mahishasura-hindu-festival-warrior-goddess-lifest-1049337-2017-09-21
Thank you joining me on this little media literacy adventure.
