Is there ANYTHING that offends?
Discussion
I am curious at the responses from many regarding Harry and the wearing of the Swastika.
A lot of people, it seems, think it is no big deal, that it was fancy dress, that the guy is only young etc etc , blah blah....
Now maybe its because I know my history, or maybe because i may be older than some ( i don't know - and I don't want to sound patronising ) , but what exactly WOULD offend people these days, if not a Swastika worn by a prominent member of the Royal Family?
The Swastika is an icon, and probably the single most powerful symbol representing the worst human activity in recent times. For literally billions of people it represents untold and unimaginable horror, in one simple image.
It is probably the single most offensive item to the largest single number of people in the world.
Drawing a parallel with things like Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers misses the point, because they are satires and even then, they do not use the Swastika. I think you 'll find that you would have to look in vain to see a Swastika in Allo Allo.
So if the use this Icon by a Royal does not offend, then what would offend some people?
In this age where, seemingly, anything goes. Are we witnessing the evolution of a society where nothing offends anyone?
Just interested, because I admit to being surprised that so many people don't think Harry's mistake is a big deal. And it got me wondering that if the single most offensive icon in the world won't offend, then what would?
A lot of people, it seems, think it is no big deal, that it was fancy dress, that the guy is only young etc etc , blah blah....
Now maybe its because I know my history, or maybe because i may be older than some ( i don't know - and I don't want to sound patronising ) , but what exactly WOULD offend people these days, if not a Swastika worn by a prominent member of the Royal Family?
The Swastika is an icon, and probably the single most powerful symbol representing the worst human activity in recent times. For literally billions of people it represents untold and unimaginable horror, in one simple image.
It is probably the single most offensive item to the largest single number of people in the world.
Drawing a parallel with things like Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers misses the point, because they are satires and even then, they do not use the Swastika. I think you 'll find that you would have to look in vain to see a Swastika in Allo Allo.
So if the use this Icon by a Royal does not offend, then what would offend some people?
In this age where, seemingly, anything goes. Are we witnessing the evolution of a society where nothing offends anyone?
Just interested, because I admit to being surprised that so many people don't think Harry's mistake is a big deal. And it got me wondering that if the single most offensive icon in the world won't offend, then what would?
Oh there's plenty of stuff that offends people - Mecca Bingo offends many Moslems for example. As do posters depicting people in bikini's or underwear.
The trouble is that the white indigenous population of this country are so apathetic and used to being ignored or de-valued that they don't even bother getting slightly annoyed any more.
We just tend to shrug our shoulders and sigh, "Oh well...."
The trouble is that the white indigenous population of this country are so apathetic and used to being ignored or de-valued that they don't even bother getting slightly annoyed any more.
We just tend to shrug our shoulders and sigh, "Oh well...."
(I dont mean this with reference to the Harry/swastika saga)....
Perhaps the reasoning is slightly reverse. We have reached a point in society where EVERYTHING will at least offend SOMEONE (or some group!).
Therefore, perhaps it has almost become accepted that everything will offend someone at some point, and so the "act" of offending someone is now, perhaps, less taboo? (I'm finding it difficult to express what I mean here, but I hope you see where I'm going with it!)
Perhaps the reasoning is slightly reverse. We have reached a point in society where EVERYTHING will at least offend SOMEONE (or some group!).
Therefore, perhaps it has almost become accepted that everything will offend someone at some point, and so the "act" of offending someone is now, perhaps, less taboo? (I'm finding it difficult to express what I mean here, but I hope you see where I'm going with it!)
Its all about context and situation I think TS.
Take Harry and his armband. That was a private party, was it not? In that case, let him do what he likes. I don't believe for a second that he's promoting or endorsing the ideology that the symbol represents.
If he'd turned up on the steps of Buckingham Palace wearing it then that's a different matter entirely.
Take Harry and his armband. That was a private party, was it not? In that case, let him do what he likes. I don't believe for a second that he's promoting or endorsing the ideology that the symbol represents.
If he'd turned up on the steps of Buckingham Palace wearing it then that's a different matter entirely.
toppstuff said:
Drawing a parallel with things like Allo Allo and Fawlty Towers misses the point, because they are satires and even then, they do not use the Swastika. I think you 'll find that you would have to look in vain to see a Swastika in Allo Allo.
No, it doesnt.
Characters in Allo Allo wore the uniform of the SS
Just as recognisable.
The symbol of the Third Reich could be see in every single episode.
It was not offensive because it was funny, comedy challenges, thats what its there for.
To arrive at a fancy dress party, the theme being 'Wear Something Tasteless', as a member of the British Royal Family, who obviously have German lineage, wearing nazi get up is without doubt a comedy statement and little more.
The persecution of the Jews happened 60 years ago. Before then and since then huge numbers of people have been killed in the name of ethnic cleansing and nobody spares a second thought to them.
Why is a jewish life worth more than a gentile life if they died for the same preposterous reason?
As to the original question of the thread, in todays society there is little that offends. This I believe is because the of narrowmindedness of people who believe in the censorship of society. We dont know about the truly horrid stuff that happens around the globe because we are not allowed to or certaintly discouraged from seeing it.
What offends me is the way that some people think that the past is more important than the future.
What is to be gained be trying to ignore the fact that it happened?
The way I see it is that it happened and just accept it. Whats more important is that it doesnt happen again, which is not going to be achieved by dredging up the resentment and hate of the time with a piece of crap news like this
What is to be gained be trying to ignore the fact that it happened?
The way I see it is that it happened and just accept it. Whats more important is that it doesnt happen again, which is not going to be achieved by dredging up the resentment and hate of the time with a piece of crap news like this
The swastika was just another excuse to rant about a public figure/celebrity. Bar obvious news worthy stories the press in general hunt out tittle tattle and through their own doing turn it into something it's not. I can understand someone who was actually a victim of the Nazis getting upset but there is a new trend of bandwagon jumping do-gooders or even people who feel the need to be outraged at least twice a week. Most of it is old news that needs to be buried but will always be raked to the surface when it suits.
Don't you just love our reality, life through a lens society?
Anyway as a side note I saw a documentary once that said the swastica was originally a Japanese symbol of fruitfulness (or something similar) Hitler liked it and adopted it for his own use.
Don't you just love our reality, life through a lens society?
Anyway as a side note I saw a documentary once that said the swastica was originally a Japanese symbol of fruitfulness (or something similar) Hitler liked it and adopted it for his own use.
The only time I have been genuinely offended was by the NSPCC's "full stop" campaign. It was effective advertising though, it made me resolute to never donate another penny to them as long as I live 
Swastikas, it's good to remember the past to prevent the same mistakes being made in the future.
Swastikas, it's good to remember the past to prevent the same mistakes being made in the future.
Ironically, Harry might have done society a favour.
After all, this has brought discussion about the Swastika and the Nazi regime into front page, mainstream conversation.
It is scary just how many people don't know ( or want to know ) what was RECENT history. And if society cannot remember, then how can it learn?
After all, this has brought discussion about the Swastika and the Nazi regime into front page, mainstream conversation.
It is scary just how many people don't know ( or want to know ) what was RECENT history. And if society cannot remember, then how can it learn?
wolf1 said:
Anyway as a side note I saw a documentary once that said the swastica was originally a Japanese symbol of fruitfulness (or something similar) Hitler liked it and adopted it for his own use.
Not really.........
Brief, child friendly, potted history here www.hostultra.com/~Exidor/Swastika/Swastika.html
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