Is this pin frightening?

October 19, 2017 5:47 PM

So this might be a stretch but I bought the "Zag on em" pin shown here. It basically looks like a snake 🐍 emoji with the words "Zag on em". I put it on my bag but then I was wondering if people would see that and think I'm some kind of Gadsden flag MAGA creep. Should I not have it on my bag? I don't want to make people feel unsafe when I'm commuting. Am I imagining a connection that most people aren't going to make?

For reference, it's a reference from the podcast "My brother, my brother, and me" that is wholly positive and humane if you know what it is.

posted by bleep to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Nah, you're good.
posted by theodolite at 5:53 PM on October 19, 2017 [10 favorites]

Response by poster: Oh yeah I forgot, "Am I good?"
posted by bleep at 5:54 PM on October 19, 2017 [10 favorites]

Keep it! If you’re worried you could put some other pins on there that are obviously not MAGA-related.
posted by something something at 5:55 PM on October 19, 2017 [5 favorites]

I...don't know. I don't get the reference, as I don't listen to the podcast, but it's close enough to certain groups' symbology that if I noticed it, I might think askance and think not getting the reference means it's because I don't hang out with those people. To be perfectly honest, I don't think anybody really looks at pins on bags, so you're probably good. Also, in my experience, people with pins on their bags are generally on the left side of the spectrum anyway. That said, if you don't want to be compared to people you don't want to be compared to, best not to invite comparison.
posted by General Malaise at 5:57 PM on October 19, 2017 [3 favorites]

Also wear a safety pin. You’re good.
posted by Night_owl at 6:13 PM on October 19, 2017 [2 favorites]

I have a treasured t-shirt from a recent Magma show that I no longer wear, because I got really conspicuous side-eye from folks who, very obviously, were trying to figure out whether it was meant as some kind of a Trump-positive variant of MAGA.

It's yet another thing I'm honked off at Trump for.

Your pin doesn't immediately make me think of the Gadsden flag, and it appears to be pretty small, so I think it's a little less likely to cause problems than my shirt was. I say, go ahead and wear it, but if you notice that folks tend to stare at it, or give you odd looks, then think about putting it away for a while, or about finding a way to incorporate it into your home decor, instead of wearing it when you're out and about.

I do not advise wearing a safety pin. The safety pin thing crashed and burned horribly.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 6:26 PM on October 19, 2017 [4 favorites]

Honestly, I think more people would see that snake pin from afar and think "Slytherin" than anything else.
posted by wintersweet at 7:08 PM on October 19, 2017 [13 favorites]

You are thoughtful, empathetic, and aware, but I feel like you're overthinking this a bit. MAGA does not own snakes! Just because they are used in one negative way doesn't mean they can't be used in another positive way. I honestly had no idea why you thought it might be seen as offensive until I clicked your link. (I learn something new every day - thanks MeFi). Wintersweet mentioned Slytherin as a snake reference from Harry Potter and right now Taylor Swift is all about snakes. Wear your pin and enjoy it!
posted by NoraCharles at 7:31 PM on October 19, 2017 [3 favorites]

The "Zag on 'em" snake doesn't look anything like the creep flag snake. You're good. GREATJOB!
posted by rogerrogerwhatsyourrvectorvicto at 7:31 PM on October 19, 2017 [3 favorites]

People might think you are a big Taylor Swift fan. 🐍🐍🐍
posted by cakebatter at 10:01 PM on October 19, 2017

If I saw that on the street, I would assume it involved a band I do not listen to. Which turns out to be close enough.
posted by Rush-That-Speaks at 10:29 PM on October 19, 2017 [5 favorites]

I think you're good. The Gadsden Flag people are really rigidly committed to the black on yellow color scheme and I think that saves you from being mistaken for one of them-- I've never seen a variant of it that made any kind of color alteration, not even an inversion. I don't think I've ever seen the snake by itself, either; it's always within the yellow rectangle of the flag. A green snake with no background shouldn't make anyone think "No Step on Snek. "
posted by moonlight on vermont at 2:35 AM on October 20, 2017 [4 favorites]

Even if it crossed my mind that it might be MAGA Chud insignia, I would probably discount the possibility on the grounds that it's too discreet of a pin. Trumpists like to trumpet.
posted by Beardman at 7:10 AM on October 20, 2017