The New Democratic Party Logo: A Step in the Right Direction or a Misstep?
It seems the US Democratic Party has a new logo, or at least a new profile pic on social media. The design is instantly familiar, as a donkey icon has long been associated with the party, even if it’s never been the Democrats’ official logo. But is a new logo really a priority, especially as the party organises its opposition to Donald Trump’s presidency?
A New Look for a New Era?
The apparent new logo is being mocked by Republicans for looking like a piñata and by some Democrats for seemingly giving the party a ratings drop from four stars in previous designs to just three (just like the Republicans’ elephant). Some people are reading too much symbolism into the fact that the donkey is now facing to the right rather than left, while others are unhappy about the absence of the color red. Blue is considered the color of the Democrats, but some feel that losing the red is ceding the US flag to the Republicans. Others see the design as another example of the trend towards the "oversimplification of logos".
Why the Democrat Logo is a Donkey
Strangely, the traditional icons of the Democrats’ donkey and the Republicans’ elephant seem to have been heavily inspired by the same cartoonist. And the animal mascots weren’t exactly intended as compliments. The logo of the Democratic Party in some states is still a rooster, but the party’s association with donkeys goes way back to Andrew Jackson, the seventh US president, who was dubbed a "jackass" by his enemies. Apparently, the Democrats liked the term’s common-man implications. But it was Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist at Harper’s Weekly from 1862 to 1886, who seems to have popularized the donkey as a representation of the party.
A Two-Horse Race
A two-horse race. The official Republican Party logo and this previous Democratic Party donkey look almost comically similar.
Conclusion
A donkey might not seem the most fearsome animal to take on the Republican’s marauding elephant, but it is familiar, and it has more character than a letter ‘D’ in a circle, which is what the Democrats have been using as their official logo. And don’t forget: donkeys can deliver a powerful kick.
FAQs
Q: Why did the Democrats choose a donkey as their logo?
A: The association with donkeys goes back to Andrew Jackson, the seventh US president, who was dubbed a "jackass" by his enemies.
Q: Why is the donkey facing to the right?
A: It’s not clear if the party is trying to send a message or if it’s just a design choice.
Q: Is the new logo a step in the right direction for the Democratic Party?
A: Some people think so, while others are skeptical that it’s a priority.
