Feedback -- Holiday Guide 2010 Edition

Spman2099

@ Adam

About the swastika...

I think it is utter crap that there are jerks that are trying to get a rise out of people through such ridiculous and juvenile means.

However, I do take issue with your stance on those who believe there is validity in the classic Hindu swastika.

Firstly, it is important to establish the fact that they look different. While they are similar, there is a distinct difference between the two (mainly the angle of the swastika).

The most important aspect is that this is not a symbol of the past, it is still used regularly by people that practice Hinduism in modern times. When you say that it is wrong to support the classic Hindu swastika you are effectively stigmatizing a symbol that existed before the Nazi's and still exists today.

I lived in an apartment building with a large amount of Indian people; the symbol was everywhere. I became friends with an individual who lived in an apartment on the same floor as me. At one point he gave me a shirt that had the symbol on it as a present. I was too embarrassed to wear it at first. However, over time I realized that I was supporting ignorance and that there was no reason for me to not wear the shirt. It was cowardice on my part...

The symbols are distinct enough that one would easily be able to recognize the difference between the two if they bothered to take a moment to learn the difference. More importantly, the non-contorted version of the swastika is still a relevant symbol for that culture. It is ignorant to lump the two together. More importantly, it is wrong.