The 16th Man Reflection- Knowledge Question

How are symbols used in the construction of knowledge?
Symbols are a huge part in constructing our knowledge and is present in the movie "The 16th Man." One big symbol in the movie was the Springbok emblem. Before Nelson Mandela, the Springbok emblem was a symbol for keeping the races separate from each other and was for an all white team. No black person would support the team because it was a symbol for the white superiority in South Africa. Mandela was able to change that when he became President. For one a black person was finally on the team and Mandela would wear a Springbok without any hesitations. Mandela knew the Springbok emblem was a big part of the culture of South Africa so he used it to help get rid of the inequity between the races in South Africa. Mandela used this to break down the racial barrier, when Mandela went out to meet the Springbok team and put on a Springbok hat without any hesitation it showed to the team and to the country, that the black people should not be bitter against the Springbok team for being an all white team and to break down the racial barrier. The way in which Mandela accepted the Springbok emblem put out a message to the people, and made them start to realize and learn that there should no longer be a barrier between the races and to put aside all of the bitter feelings that everyone once had against each other.
Mandela also used the rugby team to help people gain knowledge on how to come together without conflict between races. Everyone love sports, especially youth, and sports are something that everyone can understand, and it usually a time when people come together. Mandela used this as a way to break down the racial barrier and bring equality into South Africa. The sport and the team symbolizes the country and the people. With a black person on the team, the team represented both races coming together for a common interest. The rugby teaming winning the world cup proved to the people that black and white people can come together and work together because there really isn't much difference between the two people besides the color of their skin. The symbol of the rugby team help bring knowledge to the people that black and white people can be together without any conflict, in a way that only sports can bring people together.