"But even if it is, that doesn't make it a symbol standing in for an event; it's just a different event: a memorial rather than adding significance to Aunt Mildred's Journey."

Totally, and I should've specified they're not exactly equivalent. But that may also be what's bugging me about Janelle Monae: her music isn't symbolizing what it says it's symbolizing. But then, in the history of failed musical aspirations, what else is new? I'll go mutter to myself now.