This photo is by Bellboy in Insaneskinarts in Sinapore. The reason I’m posting it is I’d like to raise the following subject for discussion — it’s very common in North America to see communist paraphenalia (the Hammer and Sickle, Stalin and Lenin, and so on) in the backgrounds of photos and no one really bats an eye at it. These days I’m seeing more and more Nazi paraphenalia from South America and Asia, which as far as I can tell is not strongly associated with neo-Nazism.
Each type of image of course represents an ideology that resulted in the needless genocidal deaths of millions of people, yet one tends to generate a knee jerk reaction and the other does not — I’ve gotten many taken-down requests over this photo, but effectively none over pro-Stalinist imagery for example. I assume it all boils down to cultural context?
Comments
180 responses to “Nazi Fetishism”
woooo, I’ve just realised he’s naked.
woooo, I’ve just realised he’s naked.
I like his tattoos; the nazi flag i can’t even say i’m offended by because if the guy really knew what it stood for he probably wouldn’t have it…unless he does know what it mean which would be confusing to me. that’d be like me having a ku klux klan flag in my living room- i’d offend myself.
I like his tattoos; the nazi flag i can’t even say i’m offended by because if the guy really knew what it stood for he probably wouldn’t have it…unless he does know what it mean which would be confusing to me. that’d be like me having a ku klux klan flag in my living room- i’d offend myself.
wait, what’s a nazi?
what’s war?
wait, what’s a nazi?
what’s war?
This photo is just another example of someone trying to be trendy and cool by displaying controversial imagery, and being contrary to common standards of ‘good taste’. It’s kind of ‘punk’, but without sincerity.
I’m really sick of people banging on about the differences between the Nazi swastika and the ‘non-nazi’ swastika, and people using it to justify getting it tattooed, branded or whatever. I think it’s just an attention-seeking exercise, so that when provoked to respond about said mod, the person can bang on about how knowledgable, how ‘worldly’, they are of Eastern cultures and how smart, clever and ironic they are.
If you want a fucking Buddhist symbol on yourself, don’t be a dickhead, get another one. I’m sure there are hundreds out there to choose from that don’t run the really quite serious risk of hurting and offending someone (and not just Jews, but gays, lesbians, blacks, the disabled etc.)
I know you could say the same thing about many other images possibly offending people (like the crucifix or Mickey Mouse), but that still doesn’t excuse the use of the swastika.
Unless you actually are Buddhist, leave it alone. Maybe in a hundred years it might be appropriate to ressurect it, but what’s the hurry?
This photo is just another example of someone trying to be trendy and cool by displaying controversial imagery, and being contrary to common standards of ‘good taste’. It’s kind of ‘punk’, but without sincerity.
I’m really sick of people banging on about the differences between the Nazi swastika and the ‘non-nazi’ swastika, and people using it to justify getting it tattooed, branded or whatever. I think it’s just an attention-seeking exercise, so that when provoked to respond about said mod, the person can bang on about how knowledgable, how ‘worldly’, they are of Eastern cultures and how smart, clever and ironic they are.
If you want a fucking Buddhist symbol on yourself, don’t be a dickhead, get another one. I’m sure there are hundreds out there to choose from that don’t run the really quite serious risk of hurting and offending someone (and not just Jews, but gays, lesbians, blacks, the disabled etc.)
I know you could say the same thing about many other images possibly offending people (like the crucifix or Mickey Mouse), but that still doesn’t excuse the use of the swastika.
Unless you actually are Buddhist, leave it alone. Maybe in a hundred years it might be appropriate to ressurect it, but what’s the hurry?
Because I don’t know why he’s posing with a swastika I won’t comment on it. I’ll just say that tattoo work is phenomenal. It looks truly intricate and well laid out. I wonder how many hours he spent under the needle? and if there is more in the works?
Because I don’t know why he’s posing with a swastika I won’t comment on it. I’ll just say that tattoo work is phenomenal. It looks truly intricate and well laid out. I wonder how many hours he spent under the needle? and if there is more in the works?
#29: I don’t feel that anyone for whom it is an important part of their faith or culture should be discouraged/banned from using it. I think it’s generally fairly obvious whether a swastika is meant as a Nazi symbol (whether it’s for shock purposes or as a reflection of one’s own beliefs) or otherwise.
#29: I don’t feel that anyone for whom it is an important part of their faith or culture should be discouraged/banned from using it. I think it’s generally fairly obvious whether a swastika is meant as a Nazi symbol (whether it’s for shock purposes or as a reflection of one’s own beliefs) or otherwise.
Hm.. Ok, I guess it’s often not obvious. But if it’s ambiguous, one should *ask*, rather than assuming the worst. And be open to what they have to say, rather than deciding that they’re lying about it.
Hm.. Ok, I guess it’s often not obvious. But if it’s ambiguous, one should *ask*, rather than assuming the worst. And be open to what they have to say, rather than deciding that they’re lying about it.
digger, I don’t know about “communism in one country” but Hitler did not choose the phrase “national socialism.” He wasn’t the founder or even A founder of the NSDAP; he joined it and took it over.
digger, I don’t know about “communism in one country” but Hitler did not choose the phrase “national socialism.” He wasn’t the founder or even A founder of the NSDAP; he joined it and took it over.
There is nothing wrong with swastikas.
people should get educated about the history on the swastikas.
Im not offended by the picture here.
when I was teen, I bought few red flags with swastikas on it and hung them in my room. I just liked the flags.
Im not racist or have hatred. I believe in equal rights.
when you see the flag with swastika in somone’s house or place, It do not mean that the person is racist or nazi.
someone is wrong to complain to bmezine about the flag.
if you dont like the pic, Just dont look at it.
There is nothing wrong with swastikas.
people should get educated about the history on the swastikas.
Im not offended by the picture here.
when I was teen, I bought few red flags with swastikas on it and hung them in my room. I just liked the flags.
Im not racist or have hatred. I believe in equal rights.
when you see the flag with swastika in somone’s house or place, It do not mean that the person is racist or nazi.
someone is wrong to complain to bmezine about the flag.
if you dont like the pic, Just dont look at it.
#29: I have to partially agree with you, however the Swastika is not just Buddhist its used in MANY different religions over the span of the human life cycle…South America, Africa, Asia the swastika has been found in one appearance or another.
Often in some cultures it depicted the sun, others associate it with the life cycle, a sign of peace…
Personally if someone wants to get ONE symbol they should be allowed to get ONE symbol…And without people getting these symbols and EDUCATING the non-informed individuals, ignorance will just been maintained.
I think right now the human race is VERY ignorant and blind…How are we suppose to get to the next societal evolution, without educating everyone about a wide range of things.
To Shannon: I agree its strange that people freak out about the Nazi swastika but not the Hammer and Sickle. But the same can be said for waving the American flag, the Iraqi flag, the English flag, the Chinese flag. Heck even the Canadian flag is included here.
These all are flags that were used by countries that at one point in time killed thousands/millions of people…So these flags are literally symbols of murder.
However in most North American schools we are taught to respect our flags and be offended by other flags, especially the “Nazy Germany Flag” as we’re taught in school that, that flag, embodies pure evil.
To me it just points to a dark moment in human history where many died, because we as humans are so prejudice we have to subject ourselves to regional boarders…Because we can’t all get along.
#29: I have to partially agree with you, however the Swastika is not just Buddhist its used in MANY different religions over the span of the human life cycle…South America, Africa, Asia the swastika has been found in one appearance or another.
Often in some cultures it depicted the sun, others associate it with the life cycle, a sign of peace…
Personally if someone wants to get ONE symbol they should be allowed to get ONE symbol…And without people getting these symbols and EDUCATING the non-informed individuals, ignorance will just been maintained.
I think right now the human race is VERY ignorant and blind…How are we suppose to get to the next societal evolution, without educating everyone about a wide range of things.
To Shannon: I agree its strange that people freak out about the Nazi swastika but not the Hammer and Sickle. But the same can be said for waving the American flag, the Iraqi flag, the English flag, the Chinese flag. Heck even the Canadian flag is included here.
These all are flags that were used by countries that at one point in time killed thousands/millions of people…So these flags are literally symbols of murder.
However in most North American schools we are taught to respect our flags and be offended by other flags, especially the “Nazy Germany Flag” as we’re taught in school that, that flag, embodies pure evil.
To me it just points to a dark moment in human history where many died, because we as humans are so prejudice we have to subject ourselves to regional boarders…Because we can’t all get along.
Coming from a completely historical perspective, the Nazi-swastika or the real swastika offend me not in the slightest. Personally, if you cover it up, hide it, keep people from seeing it, it belittles what actually happened. If the symbol is used in a correct manner it brings about education, conversation, etc. If the swastika were to not be used as “Chaq” said, people would eventually forget what happened (and don’t say it wouldn’t/couldn’t happen, a generation or so down the line with no reminder of one of humankind’s darkest hour, all those lives that were lost by both fighting against the terrible evil that Nazi Germany was and those that were murdered by Nazi Germany would have been completely in vain).
It’s best to have those reminders. Yes, a lot of them are brought about in a negative way and even influence some weak-minded, ignorant people in a negative way, but there would still be positive education to be had, and education is something this world desperately needs.
Coming from a completely historical perspective, the Nazi-swastika or the real swastika offend me not in the slightest. Personally, if you cover it up, hide it, keep people from seeing it, it belittles what actually happened. If the symbol is used in a correct manner it brings about education, conversation, etc. If the swastika were to not be used as “Chaq” said, people would eventually forget what happened (and don’t say it wouldn’t/couldn’t happen, a generation or so down the line with no reminder of one of humankind’s darkest hour, all those lives that were lost by both fighting against the terrible evil that Nazi Germany was and those that were murdered by Nazi Germany would have been completely in vain).
It’s best to have those reminders. Yes, a lot of them are brought about in a negative way and even influence some weak-minded, ignorant people in a negative way, but there would still be positive education to be had, and education is something this world desperately needs.
Really, I think it all boils down to marketing. A recognizable symbol finds its way into our subconcious quickly, and it all comes to the point where a well designed, simple, unique symbol will overpower others. Everyone is shown the swastika in school, and it finds its way through our minds much faster than the others. The swastika was a wise marketing move for hitler, now if only the rest of his buisness ventures weren’t so insane.
Really, I think it all boils down to marketing. A recognizable symbol finds its way into our subconcious quickly, and it all comes to the point where a well designed, simple, unique symbol will overpower others. Everyone is shown the swastika in school, and it finds its way through our minds much faster than the others. The swastika was a wise marketing move for hitler, now if only the rest of his buisness ventures weren’t so insane.
#25: (A)(E) You said it, which is why I am getting the phrases “And we’ll never rest again until every nazi dies” as one of my next pieces of ink.
#25: (A)(E) You said it, which is why I am getting the phrases “And we’ll never rest again until every nazi dies” as one of my next pieces of ink.
#25 and #37 – But by calling for the deaths of the fascists and Nazi’s, how does it make you any different than them? If you want to make a change, teach love and caring – not death and violence. How do the deaths of fascists and Nazis make up for the deaths that they handed out to others?
It doesn’t. At all. It dishonors the lives that were lost. The people who were killed by the Nazis, do you honestly believe that they would want their murderers killed in their name? For the most part, I’d say no.
By killing someone in someone else’s name, it makes you no better than the people who killed that person. In fact, it makes you worse because you couldn’t be better than them, you couldn’t honor life, you would just hand out death like you were one of them – but you think you’re better because you’re killing for a cause you believe in – the same thing they did.
#25 and #37 – But by calling for the deaths of the fascists and Nazi’s, how does it make you any different than them? If you want to make a change, teach love and caring – not death and violence. How do the deaths of fascists and Nazis make up for the deaths that they handed out to others?
It doesn’t. At all. It dishonors the lives that were lost. The people who were killed by the Nazis, do you honestly believe that they would want their murderers killed in their name? For the most part, I’d say no.
By killing someone in someone else’s name, it makes you no better than the people who killed that person. In fact, it makes you worse because you couldn’t be better than them, you couldn’t honor life, you would just hand out death like you were one of them – but you think you’re better because you’re killing for a cause you believe in – the same thing they did.
Hm, as a Jew and queer and transperson who, although white, frequently keeps company of color, I find myself very uncomfortable around white Americans with swastika images whether clearly Nazi-related or not. Being as the majority of white Americans flagging a swastika are white supremacists/neo-nazis or hold to related mentalities, when I see a swastika I take that as a sign that me and my own are either a) not welcome there and are possibly in very close physical/mortal danger, or b) welcome as long as we keep our mouths shut and take whatever blind prejudice is spat back at us in the name of free speech and everyone being entitled to their own opinions, reality and other people’s lives and experiences be damned. B is generally where most white Americans with swastikas for non-nazi statements tend to fall in, and it goes with a heaping barrelful of (more problematic than not) cultural appropriation and historical amnesia.
Which is a longish way of saying that those people saying these symbols are meaningless and for people to get over it need to recognize that ignoring a problem requires also ignoring the people both causing and suffering from the problem, which makes the ignored party act up more and the injured party get hurt that much more.
Hm, as a Jew and queer and transperson who, although white, frequently keeps company of color, I find myself very uncomfortable around white Americans with swastika images whether clearly Nazi-related or not. Being as the majority of white Americans flagging a swastika are white supremacists/neo-nazis or hold to related mentalities, when I see a swastika I take that as a sign that me and my own are either a) not welcome there and are possibly in very close physical/mortal danger, or b) welcome as long as we keep our mouths shut and take whatever blind prejudice is spat back at us in the name of free speech and everyone being entitled to their own opinions, reality and other people’s lives and experiences be damned. B is generally where most white Americans with swastikas for non-nazi statements tend to fall in, and it goes with a heaping barrelful of (more problematic than not) cultural appropriation and historical amnesia.
Which is a longish way of saying that those people saying these symbols are meaningless and for people to get over it need to recognize that ignoring a problem requires also ignoring the people both causing and suffering from the problem, which makes the ignored party act up more and the injured party get hurt that much more.
#29, Chaq, the point is, the swastika was a Buddhist symbol before being a Nazi symbol, and many people believe strongly in re-appropriating the original meaning of the symbol. On this topic, check out ManWoman.net, who is a chief proponent of this movement. (The guy also probably holds the world record for the number of swastikas tattooed on his body, for those interesting in the topic from a bodymod POV.)
If you went to India, you would realize that the swastika is also a Hindu symbol, and it’s also display every-bloody-where. Many people might also want to use the symbol as a tattoo due to its presence there.
Shannon: Considering that you hang out with Saira, who’s quite politically enlightened, such a simple question coming from you rather baffles the mind. (Unless you just meant to have the conversation to educate others…) Nazi imagery represents a genocidal regime that went after specific ethnic groups (and some other groups that aren’t identified by race, such as homosexuals and mentally challenged people, but that could probably be isolated as “genetic groups” nonetheless), while Stalin simply went after his political opponents, which statesmen from every ideology do, albeit none of the scale that he did (e.g. the Ukrainian population, due to its political opposition, not due to their racial characterization).
All that said, Hitler might have been a failed artist, but I find the Nazi party flag to be a mesmerizing logo, and quite frankly worthy to be called art. What it represents is no less repugnant because of this, however.
#29, Chaq, the point is, the swastika was a Buddhist symbol before being a Nazi symbol, and many people believe strongly in re-appropriating the original meaning of the symbol. On this topic, check out ManWoman.net, who is a chief proponent of this movement. (The guy also probably holds the world record for the number of swastikas tattooed on his body, for those interesting in the topic from a bodymod POV.)
If you went to India, you would realize that the swastika is also a Hindu symbol, and it’s also display every-bloody-where. Many people might also want to use the symbol as a tattoo due to its presence there.
Shannon: Considering that you hang out with Saira, who’s quite politically enlightened, such a simple question coming from you rather baffles the mind. (Unless you just meant to have the conversation to educate others…) Nazi imagery represents a genocidal regime that went after specific ethnic groups (and some other groups that aren’t identified by race, such as homosexuals and mentally challenged people, but that could probably be isolated as “genetic groups” nonetheless), while Stalin simply went after his political opponents, which statesmen from every ideology do, albeit none of the scale that he did (e.g. the Ukrainian population, due to its political opposition, not due to their racial characterization).
All that said, Hitler might have been a failed artist, but I find the Nazi party flag to be a mesmerizing logo, and quite frankly worthy to be called art. What it represents is no less repugnant because of this, however.
I have so much to add to this thread but am dealing with some shit at the moment. I have three swastika tattoos and none are to celebrate nationalism or German politics of the first half of last century. However everything I would say is said better in these two links.
http://www.swastika-info.com/
http://www.manwoman.net/
Which I suggest everyone read through. Both are fascinating.
Peace.
I have so much to add to this thread but am dealing with some shit at the moment. I have three swastika tattoos and none are to celebrate nationalism or German politics of the first half of last century. However everything I would say is said better in these two links.
http://www.swastika-info.com/
http://www.manwoman.net/
Which I suggest everyone read through. Both are fascinating.
Peace.
i like the little screaming face on his left calf, reminds me of the movie Cannibal Holocaust.
i like the little screaming face on his left calf, reminds me of the movie Cannibal Holocaust.
picture is ok. imagery doesn’t matter. show us more! 🙂
picture is ok. imagery doesn’t matter. show us more! 🙂
In 1967, the Jews took more land than was originally partitioned in the U.N. agreement. As a result, Israel lost international favor. To combat criticism of Israel and it’s racist policies the Zionist Jews created the HOLOCAUST INDUSTRY….. Movies, sensational television dramas, memorials, museums, books, and of course, the mind washing western high school curriculum. Check for yourself, virtually no academic work was done on the Third Reich until the late 60s/early 70s.
The result: Jewish suffering is unique. No group has suffered as much as the poor Jews, so please don’t complain about their racial state or what they do to the Palestinians. And, don’t question the official story of the Holocaust or you’ll go to jail in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and hopefully soon, the U.S.
Read more, a book by a Jewish Professor who was recently denied tenure at his University because of his views. Dr. Norman Finklestein’s, The Holocaust Industry.
In 1967, the Jews took more land than was originally partitioned in the U.N. agreement. As a result, Israel lost international favor. To combat criticism of Israel and it’s racist policies the Zionist Jews created the HOLOCAUST INDUSTRY….. Movies, sensational television dramas, memorials, museums, books, and of course, the mind washing western high school curriculum. Check for yourself, virtually no academic work was done on the Third Reich until the late 60s/early 70s.
The result: Jewish suffering is unique. No group has suffered as much as the poor Jews, so please don’t complain about their racial state or what they do to the Palestinians. And, don’t question the official story of the Holocaust or you’ll go to jail in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and hopefully soon, the U.S.
Read more, a book by a Jewish Professor who was recently denied tenure at his University because of his views. Dr. Norman Finklestein’s, The Holocaust Industry.
Oh, yes, and that’s why we in the west are so familiar with that Swastika symbol
Oh, yes, and that’s why we in the west are so familiar with that Swastika symbol
im fuckin a jew and my grand mother was in a camp ….but all i see in this pic is a awsome tattoo of a dragon water and a decapitated head and a symbol that was ruind by a group
im fuckin a jew and my grand mother was in a camp ….but all i see in this pic is a awsome tattoo of a dragon water and a decapitated head and a symbol that was ruind by a group
For me the difference is the ideology of the supreme arian race … while stalin for example “just” did political motivated mass murder, the SS and GeStaPo tried to whipe their occupied areas “clean of jews, disabled ppl and (than of course also political motivated) the communists, socialists and democrats”.
The “problem” also was the industrialised killing – while it always happend in history that Nations whiped out other Nations or Cultures this happend in “a war”. For example Presidents who are (still) honored with their portrait on Dollar Bills are responsible for the extinction of whole Indian Tribes and many cultures … but it was called “war” even if there are parallels with deportation and death marches … still the organized and idustrialised killing of millions with a big masterplan behind it (Endlösung) was a new quality and the term that was created for this is not called “crime against humanity” for no reason.
Soooo … if somebody belives in this ideology – for me – it is different than someone beliving in ideologies that have been missused like communism … although I never liked the ideas of communism in it’s core it is at least humane and has the goal to make live better for everyone instead of fascism, kolonialism or the Nazis. Even capitalism is organized crime!
Peace!
😉
For me the difference is the ideology of the supreme arian race … while stalin for example “just” did political motivated mass murder, the SS and GeStaPo tried to whipe their occupied areas “clean of jews, disabled ppl and (than of course also political motivated) the communists, socialists and democrats”.
The “problem” also was the industrialised killing – while it always happend in history that Nations whiped out other Nations or Cultures this happend in “a war”. For example Presidents who are (still) honored with their portrait on Dollar Bills are responsible for the extinction of whole Indian Tribes and many cultures … but it was called “war” even if there are parallels with deportation and death marches … still the organized and idustrialised killing of millions with a big masterplan behind it (Endlösung) was a new quality and the term that was created for this is not called “crime against humanity” for no reason.
Soooo … if somebody belives in this ideology – for me – it is different than someone beliving in ideologies that have been missused like communism … although I never liked the ideas of communism in it’s core it is at least humane and has the goal to make live better for everyone instead of fascism, kolonialism or the Nazis. Even capitalism is organized crime!
Peace!
😉
Shannon has posted other nazi-related stuff that he probably haven’t noticed but insulted some people anyway
Shannon has posted other nazi-related stuff that he probably haven’t noticed but insulted some people anyway
@15 You raised a point about Canadian schools and in Canada we are taught on History from an economical point so little bias is involved.
The swastika has appeared in many religions and political beliefs
and only one of them has used it has used it as a hate symbol.
socialism at the core is better than capitalism because it protects the average worker (which I am and I assume more than one of you are) and insures the standard of living.(a socialist government in Canada created the free medi-care that
I appreciate to this day)
This man has stunning tattoo work I would love to see it up close.
capitalism holds the lower class (those that make under $120,000 in Canada) below the upper class that gets taxed at a
lower rate. High taxation and hyper-inflation created by politicians that can vote them selves raises lead to poverty and political desperation which in turn leads to radical political solution i.e socialism, fascism
but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and no of us know the reason of his flag hanging (is it his flag?)
ManWoman must be rolling in his grave (figure of speech)
To close out my argument I would pick communism over fascism any day of the week but Stalin killed more people than Hitler.
Have A Nice day
@15 You raised a point about Canadian schools and in Canada we are taught on History from an economical point so little bias is involved.
The swastika has appeared in many religions and political beliefs
and only one of them has used it has used it as a hate symbol.
socialism at the core is better than capitalism because it protects the average worker (which I am and I assume more than one of you are) and insures the standard of living.(a socialist government in Canada created the free medi-care that
I appreciate to this day)
This man has stunning tattoo work I would love to see it up close.
capitalism holds the lower class (those that make under $120,000 in Canada) below the upper class that gets taxed at a
lower rate. High taxation and hyper-inflation created by politicians that can vote them selves raises lead to poverty and political desperation which in turn leads to radical political solution i.e socialism, fascism
but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and no of us know the reason of his flag hanging (is it his flag?)
ManWoman must be rolling in his grave (figure of speech)
To close out my argument I would pick communism over fascism any day of the week but Stalin killed more people than Hitler.
Have A Nice day