There's a Kanye joke in there somewhere.
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Symbol carved into green at Lakeville golf course
I am happy to see that the updated reports on this vandalism case in Massachusetts include some research into swastik symbol and that someone else noticed the irony here.
I actually wrote a short editorial that appeared in the Birmingham News last winter on a similar note (below). One person's peace symbol is another person's broken cross. One state's flag is another person's symbol of hate. Heck, even our own country's flag is considered taboo even in our own country.
We must always be very careful with our choice of words and our understanding of them. For instance, if you don't understand French and are being asked a question in a French-speaking country through an interpreter... perhaps you should hold your tongue, or use context clues like the dozens of other French speakers in the room as they try to shout out, in French, the mistake that has been made in translation before you lose your temper.
But perhaps we should be even more careful with our choice of symbols and interpretations of them. After all, they say 70% of all communication is non-verbal. In this particular case, some morons attempting to make a perhaps racist statement, accidentally carved the left-facing, 90-degree version of the centuries-old swastik symbol on a golf course along with the President's name. It could be interpreted as "I wish to ward off evil from Obama," or an insult to about a half-dozen of the world's oldest religions and cultures... depending again, on your interpretation. In any case, to most people, the only message they managed to convey is that they are cultural and perhaps illiterate idiots. (At least adjust your font kerning and leading if you're going to be a stupid racist.)
Think about what you want to communicate. If in doubt, ask a professional before going to print. Ask someone before you etch it in stone for an international audience. Your reputation may depend on it. (Even if your reputation is that of an ignorant hate monger...)
The Book Thief (15)
Cover of The Book Thief
***HERE IS A SMALL FACT***
You are going to die.
And with that, our narrator—Death—introduces himself and less than maybe 30 words into the book, I know it's going to be good. In fact, The Book Thief is easily my favorite read of the year, so far. The setting: Nazi Germany. The key characters: a foster family who takes in a very special girl (although she doesn't know it yet). The conflict: a desire to do what's right in a world turned so wrong. The writing: wonderful, comedic, dramatic, lyrical, terrible. Zusak refuses to let us turn away from the horror and destruction of the time but satisfies us with the smallest of moments that convey the biggest of victories, the strongest of wills, the sweetest of hearts.
The Book Thief sent me off researching Nazi Germany (particularly Hitler Youth) and I also read (as much as I could without throwing the book against the wall) The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer. I still want more. I'm still struggling to understand how a people could be taken for so long down such an awful path with such dire consequences. I'm also desperate to find more stories—true stories—of the humanity that hid from the whip and hammer of the Swastika.
I need more Liesels and her papa in my life.
The Book Thief sent me off researching Nazi Germany (particularly Hitler Youth) and I also read (as much as I could without throwing the book against the wall) The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer. I still want more. I'm still struggling to understand how a people could be taken for so long down such an awful path with such dire consequences. I'm also desperate to find more stories—true stories—of the humanity that hid from the whip and hammer of the Swastika.
I need more Liesels and her papa in my life.
Highly, highly, highly recommended.
Nazi Horse
I've mentioned in a previous post that the swastika is an ancient symbol in Mongolia, which predates the Nazis by centuries. I've seen swastikas on wedding rings, on earrings, in art, in homes, on monuments, in graffiti, and in cars. It seems to be everywhere, but without the association with Hitler.
But recently I saw something new: a swastika branded on the flank of a racing horse! I'm not sure if the horse won the races during the Naddam festival or not.
Probably not.
But recently I saw something new: a swastika branded on the flank of a racing horse! I'm not sure if the horse won the races during the Naddam festival or not.
Probably not.
