Our conversations about the cross brought us to the idea of the cross, and other religious or religious-adjacent symbols, in modern jewelry. We used jewelry to talk about appropriation and presentation. The idea of how comfortable we are wearing certain symbols in certain contexts, as well as how comfortable we are seeing others wear certain symbols, was the central theme to our discussion. Why does it make us uncomfortable to see someone wearing certain symbols, whether it is their own, or a symbol that we identify with that we feel is being appropriated? Should our discomfort make them feel uncomfortable with the presentation of their jewelry? For instance, should a Catholic hide their crucifix so as not to make a Muslim uncomfortable? Should a non-Jew choose not to wear the Star of David, so as not to make a Jew uncomfortable? What I keep coming back to is this idea of personal discomfort. While the discomfort itself says something about the symbol and its meanings and appropriate uses according to some, I am not sure how strong of an influence that discomfort should have on others choices.
Writing and other content
