Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 were dismissed by some of his critics as merely symbolic for African Americans. But there is nothing “mere” about symbols.

TaNehisi Coates
Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 were dismissed by...
Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 were dismissed by...
Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 were dismissed by...
Barack Obama’s victories in 2008 and 2012 were dismissed by...
About This Quote

Symbols play a tremendous role in our lives. They hold a place that is especially significant when we are trying to envision a better future for ourselves or when we are trying to prove something to others. As you can see, symbols are not only important for people to understand, but they are vital for people to grasp. When people dismiss something as simply symbolic, it often means that the person is not able to fully grasp the significance of the symbol.

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