Swastikas

[opus10no2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

'The term is derived from Sanskrit svasti, meaning well-being.'

Interesting history. I was warned for using one in satirical context, and I was wondering what others thought about this?

[Barbosa-piano]

  The swastika is a beautiful symbol, but it has been misused. It evokes power, and in the 20's you could see a green swastika in all kinds of advertisements, along with a "Good Luck" wish. There is a city in Canada (Swastika?) where its hockey team was known as "The Swastikas", if I'm not mistaken- It is kind of ironic that all of the players' uniforms displayed a swastika, as World War II approached.
  My great-grandfather was a Nazi, but my grandfather admires the true spirit of Germany, and dispises Nazism.
 
   The swastika should no longer represent violent racism, as it is a spiritual symbol for many in Asia.
 

[lichristine]

it's also been in ancient native american, mayan, etc cultures. As a very postitive symbol.

[Bob]

A looong time ago I just thought the shape was cool.  Then I found out about the Nazi relation.  *thinks bad of Nazi's for taking a symbol*  Then I found out it was also positive, but it's not like you can separate the symbol from Nazi now.  The majority see it as Nazi.

The good old History channel informed me that the colors have some significance too.  Except I forget.  The red, black, and white.  For blood or Romans or something.  Used again in Star Wars!  Or so they say.

[jlh]

Its roots may be positive and life-affirming, but after the Nazi's misused it now it will forever be seen as a symbol of power, corruption, white supremacy and mass genocide.  I don't think there is anything that can be done to rectify its positive image, at least for the version used by Germany.

Using it at all nowadays will invoke negative reactions from almost everyone in the world who has access to historical education, and especially from those affected by WWII.  I think there was also a law enacted after the war that outlawed its public display?

[zheer]

    Here is one of the most well known Swastikas.

[opus10no2]

Using it at all nowadays will invoke negative reactions from almost everyone in the world who has access to historical education, and especially from those affected by WWII.  I think there was also a law enacted after the war that outlawed its public display?

Yep. Using it as propaganda for the neo-nazi movement is seen as dangerous.

I think banning a symbol gives it unneccesary power, If it wasn't banned, would the neo-nazis have rallied any more supporters?

Anyway, just like the N-bomb, I don't see any reason for censoring it's use.

Anyone who is offended by a word or symbol no matter what the context, is either overly sensetive or ridiculously politically correct.

[jlh]

Anyone who is offended by a word or symbol no matter what the context, is either overly sensetive or ridiculously politically correct.

Would you call someone who grew up watching their entire family and all their friends be murdured in concentration camps overly sensitive or ridiculously politically correct if they are offended when the very symbol that united the Nazi's is used in any context?  That symbol means a great deal more than just any other symbol.  I think if it is used at all it shows disrespect for those who have suffered through a horrible period in history.

[opus10no2]

Like most people in my country, I have relatives who were in the war, and even lost their lives in the war.

With time, I think people feel less bitterness, and look upon the world wars as a tragic 'lesson' for humanity.

I'd like to think one of the freedoms we have is to joke and satirically reference about the nazis.

Wouldn't you also say it's a different issue now because of the time past?

I do feel seperated from it, like most members here, by time, and it is a part of history to most of us, , I'd say people are less sensetive about it now.

I see the symbol, in the nazi form, as a harsh reminder of the more extreme consequences of discrimination.
Not to be used lightly , of course, but I advocate the use as a harsh reminder.

[Bob]

To me, WWII is part of history.  Affects us now, but I'm not directly reacting to it.  It's been 60+ years.  Not all the effects are bad though -- Japan got an advantage after rebuilding, boost in the space program, etc.   Spruce goose.

[thalbergmad]

Like most people in my country, I have relatives who were in the war, and even lost their lives in the war.

The hatred diminshes with time and will eventually be forgotten i hope. I don't think there is any bitterness arising from the First World War and amazingly there are still a couple of people alive who fought in it.

The Holocaust on the other hand i feel will never be forgotten and i agree with what jih said a couple of posts back. Although the atrocities happened over 60 years ago, such was the vastness of the crime that even today it has surfaced in a meeting of the EU.

My Grandfather died at Dachau. He was cleaning his machine gun and fell off the watchtower.

Thal

[mikey6]

Slight side note - did anyone see the article that they believe Hitler had Syphilis after contracting it from a Jewish prostitute in 1908?  I was gonna say odd to think that a mental illness caused the holocaust but if you think about it, no one in their right mid would do a thing like that!