In the land of dreams, America, a duo of registered nurses have turned their dreams into reality by owning three bustling businesses in the home health, hospice, and caregiving domain. Additionally, they are the proud operators of Kreizi Beauty, a stepping stone that led them to their latest venture, GoRed Cosmetics. Dayap, one of the visionaries behind these ventures, articulated their success story befittingly, ‘That’s the opportunity we have here in America, to achieve anything you want.’ Indeed, their story reflects the quintessential American ethos of the confluence of opportunity and ambition.
Their newest venture, however, has brought forth an interesting notion, wrapping patriotism in each of their products. GoRed Cosmetics, although not the first one with this initiative, as MAGA Red Beauty had unveiled a lipstick called MAGA Red in a New York conservative fashion show back in September, tries to encapsulate a patriotic spirit in its brand. The MAGA Red lipstick was promoted as being akin to the vivid red hue of the iconic MAGA hats. And then raises the question of what ‘MAGA Red’ truly is and its potential future as a symbol, much like the American flag became a representative emblem.
In fact, the rise of ‘MAGA Red’ has impacted some progressives. Consider, for instance, the case of a woman named Morgan B. Her son, who deals with autism, is fond of red attire. An incident occurred on November 6, where Morgan noticed her son dressed in his usual red attire and worry set in. She was concerned about how people might interpret her son’s favorite color as aligning with particular political beliefs. This feeling of unease reflects the formidable impression that the color red is beginning to make.
What’s more, another woman grappled with a similar concern when she contemplated wearing a red dress to a significant social event in Boston. She ultimately decided on a black outfit, preferring to avoid any potential political color connotations. Adding to the list, clothing and textile designer Adele Mattern also expressed hesitant thoughts before purchasing a car in a red hue. She pondered with her husband half-jokingly if they were, in fact, buying a ‘MAGA car’. This is a clear example of how deeply our society today is impacted by the political narrative around colors.
Coming to 2024, color politics is practically inseparable from the overall political outlook. Oddly enough, the color red, which traditionally symbolized the left, has become a prominent emblem of the right. The whirlwind started with red hats, but it didn’t stop there – it has permeated every sphere of American society.
Exploring this phenomenon further, Boston College art history professor Oliver Wunsch, who teaches ‘A History of Color,’ discusses how colors can be trademarked in various industries and specific contexts. Owens Corning was the first to trademark a color in 1987 for their fiberglass insulation product – that distinctive ‘Pink Panther’ pink. Similarly, the robin’s egg blue of a Tiffany box or the dark brown of a UPS truck are trademarked hues known to all. He categorizes the MAGA Red as a ‘symbolic category,’ not officially part of the Pantone Matching System but one that matches the ‘loud ordinariness’ associated with it.
Tracing the linguistics journey, red is usually the first color to be named after black and white – a testament to its primal, rudimentary nature. This basicness, according to Wunsch, is a part of MAGA Red’s power. Moreover, there isn’t a universally agreed upon shade for ‘Democratic Blue’, suggesting the authoritative stance of MAGA Red.
Over the centuries, the color red has been used to denote power, wealth, valor, and victory worldwide. Suspended high during the American Revolution, the red liberty cap symbolized the advent of freedom and was later adopted by the French to herald their new republic. The color red became synonymous with the cause of workers’ rights in the 19th century and was later co-opted by the Communist Party in the 20th century. Given red’s history with the left, its current acceptance by the right is a demonstrable shift in the political landscape.
Moreover, the rich history of red includes episodes of its weaponization. A significant moment to remember is the televised results of the 2000 Bush v. Gore presidential race, which further underscores red’s preeminence in the political sphere. On election day last month, the sight of Jill Biden in a red dress spurred speculation about her political stance, such has been the impact of the color’s close alignment with the right.
In fact, when Ivanka Trump chose a blue outfit for her father’s victory speech, there was a similar wave of confusion. It seems that even within the Trump family, the color scheme of the American flag takes precedence. Trump himself, known for using colors strategically, often favors the American flag’s color scheme.
In contrast, the woman who decided against wearing her red dress for the social event in Boston hopes to wear it for Christmas, demonstrating that colors can indeed transcend the cut-and-thrust of politics. When queried about this, she humorously said, ‘They can’t take that away from me.’ Clearly, the symbolism of colors can never wholly overshadow their natural appeal.
To conclude, the color red’s journey maps a fascinating course, from an emblem of liberty to a signifier of workers’ rights, and finally becoming a symbol of the right-wing, enclosed in the phrase ‘MAGA Red’. This evolution underpins how deeply ingrained color politics are in society today. The adoption of this color by Trump and his supporters has left an enduring mark.
Yet, even as the politics of color underscore the present and will likely continue to shape America’s future discourse, the inherent beauty of colors does and always will celebrate its own individuality beyond politics. No matter the symbolism attached to it, a red hat, a red lipstick or a red dress celebrates its own identity, reminding us all that colors are, after all, just colors.
The Rise of MAGA Red: A Symbol Born from Patriotic Spirit appeared first on Real News Now.
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