Davonne Thomas: History, Regulation, and the current State of the Information Communication Enviroment

1.0 The Trigger

“Stop, I don’t like Red," is what the cashier heard from me today. She paused, and then looked at me. She was waiting for a response... At this time, previous experiences, images, and thoughts were flashing through my mind. I was speechless, because of the color of the notebook. It was red! I do have notebooks that are different colors, but not red. Is it because of what red symbolizes?

2.0 Red and Symbols

According to the book, Theories of Human Communication, a symbol usually designates a complex sign with many meanings including highly personal ones (Littlejohn & Foss, 2008, p. 35). Red can have a lot of meanings. It could be a symbol for strength, passion, ambition, energy, and speed; as well as, blood, anger, aggression, arrogance, gaudiness and radicalism. Are these words, and their meanings, the reasons why I do not like the color red? Strength, passion, ambition, energy, and speed can have positive meanings. But on the other hand; blood, anger, arrogance, gaudiness, and radicalism can have negative meanings (“Color Psychology,” 2007).

3.0 Red and my Environment

Could it be my environment? I use to live in area where the Folk Nation sect, Gangster Disciples (Black and blue are their colors) were prevalent (“Gangster Disciples,” 2007). Students that I went to school with, and even rode the bus with, showed their affiliation by the colors that they wore. Is this the reason why I do not like red?

4.0 Conclusion

Well, in conclusion, the reason that I do not like red is not because I do not like it. It is because red stimulates a faster heartbeat and increases breathing, which are signs of nervousness and anxiety(Johnson, 2007). I do not need nervousness or anxiety in my life. I do not need any pressure from “Red.” I have enough pressure from trying to conquer the rigors of the CICS program.

References

1. Color Psychology and Symbolism (2007, September 26). In Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 27, 2007,from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology

2.Gangster Disciples (2007, September 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 27,2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gangster_Disciples

3.Johnson, D. (2007) Color Psychology: Do different colors affect your mood? Retrieved September 27, 2007, from http://www.infoplease.com/spot/colors1.html

4. Littlejohn, S. W & Foss K. A (2008). Theories of Human Communication (9th Ed.) Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth.