When does culture become political?

This week, we read two articles that analyze the different ways in which culture infuses politics. Mary Pattillo-McCoy demonstrates how elements of church culture were incorporated into secular contexts within an African-American majority neighborhood in Chicago. Cynthia Miller-Idris examines how symbols can take on new meanings and become politicized.

Can you think of another example where culture is used as a political resource or symbol? What might explain why certain symbols take on a political dimension while others do not?