Symbolic politics

In light of the rise in hate speech against migrants and people of color across Europe, understanding the significance of symbols becomes paramount. Moreover, public debates concerning online hate speech propagate through a multi-layered, multi-platform system, which includes traditional political and media actors, as well as online spaces dominated by political influencers. How are symbols of popular culture, class, identity, and narratives of national legacies used to construct different sides of conflict in this political debate? How do traditional communicators use symbols differently compared to political influencers?