justinpfister's Journal: Microsoft, What's Wrong with a Swastika?

"In 2004, Microsoft released a "critical update" to remove two swastikas and a Star of David from the font Bookshelf Symbol 7. The font had been bundled with Microsoft Office 2003"[WikiPedia].

Everywhere I go, I see little ribbons on everyones cars. In time, these harmless symbols may be turned into a more meaningful representation of the time. Maybe good or bad.

Consider the swastika. If you read this Wikipedia article, you'll realize the symbol has a much broader meaning than Nazi world order.

Will Microsoft have to remove the ribbon symbol from it's Office Sweet next?

I posted more about my feeling on the issue on my blog: http://blog.justinpfister.com/2005/07/is-swastika-itself-bad-symbol.cfm

Moo

[Chacham]

Being the swastika has been used as a symbol of hate and it is even used today for such reasons, it can provoke fear to some, and give a "green light" to others. By taking the strong action of removing the swastika it sends a message of intolerance to such things.

I do not know if they should have done it or not, but there is ample reason to go either way.

Re:Moo

[justinpfister]

The swastika is a powerful symbol in general, as the cross is. And as the meaning of the cross morphs over time, I feel the meaning of the swastika can also morph. For example, imagine combining the power of the swastika with a pattern representing the "Open Society". Yet, we can't.. because the symbol is so taboo that Microsoft needs to implement an emergency patch to remove it from the font library.

Yes, I understand there's so much hate and pain associated with the swastika, but the fact that we're l

Re:Moo

[Chacham]

I feel the meaning of the swastika can also morph.

It can. Given time. It cannot be forced.

but the fact that we're letting it paralyze us means we're still letting all the hate and pain influence our lives.

It's not that we are letting it paralize us, but rather, others still respond to the sign. Racists paint it on people's lawns, and neo-natzis use it as propoganda.

Symbols do have meaning. Sure they are human given and humans can change it, but it doesn't always work, and we have to accept that which is.

In