Wearing a swastika in public.

[XX55XX]

For an upcoming convention, I was thinking about dressing up as a WWII German soldier.

The con doesn't necessarily forbid the wearing of swastikas, but one of the people who worked there as a volunteer told me that the con wouldn't be responsible if people attacked me as a result of it. Wasn't sure if he was joking or not, but I think I'll take my chances regardless.

Anyways, I will be commuting to and from the convention hall via mass transit. The only swastika I'll be wearing is the national emblem of Nazi Germany, which is usually stitched above the right breast pocket. For reference, here's a picture of an M36 tunic with the swastika on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bakałarzewo_-_poniemiecki_bunkier_-_niemiecki_mundur.jpg

I don't know if it might not be a bad idea to wear a swastika decal on my Stahlhelm either, but I just want to see what people think of this.

Would I get beaten up by a bunch of anti-skinheads or anti-racist activists on my way home?

I live in Boston, by the way, and the convention in question is the PAX East.

 

[Jeeebus]

Why do I feel like it's safe to assume there's no girlfriend/wife that you could have asked this question to prior to our mockery and ridicule?

 

[her209]

Is this a convention for people to gather together dressed up as Nazi soldiers?

 

[XX55XX]

Why do I feel like it's safe to assume there's no girlfriend/wife that you could have asked this question to prior to our mockery and ridicule?

My parents come from the Far East, so they don't get why the swastika is so bad. My sister thinks it's a bad idea and that a bunch of anti-skinheads might beat me up on the train. My friends... well... they told me to just do it. Now I want to know what the people of the Internet think.

 

[XX55XX]

Is this a convention for people to gather together dressed up as Nazi soldiers?

Nah. There's a lot of cosplay going on. I've been to the PAX East before. I didn't know what else to dress up as, and German uniforms looked cool.

 

[lxskllr]

I encourage everyone to exercise their free speech rights. Just be ready to kick some ass if necessary. Are you ready?

 

[MotF Bane]

Ask yourself this question. Would you wear a Yankees hat through the same area?

 

[dougp]

Nah. There's a lot of cosplay going on. I've been to the PAX East before. I didn't know what else to dress up as, and German uniforms looked cool.

Seriously? You have 10 billion options and you choose one that could offend quite a few people - your best bet is to try and pull off something related to Hellboy or Wolfenstein if you want to go with the German WWII uniform.

 

[irishScott]

My parents come from the Far East, so they don't get why the swastika is so bad. My sister thinks it's a bad idea and that a bunch of anti-skinheads might beat me up on the train. My friends... well... they told me to just do it. Now I want to know what the people of the Internet think.

Uhhh... can they read English? Show them this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripartite_Pact

 

[Jeeebus]

I encourage everyone to exercise their free speech rights. Just be ready to kick some ass if necessary. Are you ready?

he's going to a video game convention where people dress up and act out their anime/video game fantasies.

Do you really need an answer to that?

Of course, he is Asian, so you never know.

 

[Slew Foot]

Might as well wear a Yankees hat with a Eli Manning jersey.

 

[MotF Bane]

Might as well wear a Yankees hat with a Eli Manning jersey.

Oh, the Eli jersey is a nice touch.

 

[her209]

Nah. There's a lot of cosplay going on. I've been to the PAX East before. I didn't know what else to dress up as, and German uniforms looked cool.

...

(speechless)

 

[lxskllr]

:^D

 

[FallenHero]

How about you cover up or refrain from putting it on until you get into the convention if you are dead set on wearing it.

 

[XX55XX]

Uhhh... can they read English? Show them this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripartite_Pact

They are also practicing Buddhists, and there is a swastika adorned by the prayer space in my home.

 

[XX55XX]

How about you cover up or refrain from putting it on until you get into the convention if you are dead set on wearing it.

Might not be a bad idea, actually.

And yes, I've heard of people getting beat up in this town for wearing rival sports jerseys... Rarely happens, but occasionally a drunk fool beats up a New York fan. It happened a few weeks ago after the Super Bowl in Brookline... Three guys were out in the street, wearing their Giants jerseys... when an even larger group of men jumped them for no reason.

 

[lxskllr]

They are also practicing Buddhists, and there is a swastika adorned by the prayer space in my home.

A lot of people haven't been told their historic iconography is now verboten. Take it back, though I don't know that a Nazi uniform is the best way to turn public opinion :^D

 

[Bignate603]

How about you cover up or refrain from putting it on until you get into the convention if you are dead set on wearing it.

This. If you want to wear it at the con you'd probably be ok. However, wearing getting to and from the con might be a problem.

 

[DirkGently1]

When you leave the Convention i think you should walk home through some of the Black neighbourhoods. Those cats really dig a Nazi uniform!

 

[Capt Caveman]

My parents come from the Far East, so they don't get why the swastika is so bad. My sister thinks it's a bad idea and that a bunch of anti-skinheads might beat me up on the train. My friends... well... they told me to just do it. Now I want to know what the people of the Internet think.

The internet thinks you're a retard.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Nah. There's a lot of cosplay going on. I've been to the PAX East before. I didn't know what else to dress up as, and German uniforms looked cool.

I totally agree that they look very good!

...

(speechless)

You jelly?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

As long as you don't go to Germany.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

First you think that child porn is OK and now this? I really think you are a contrarian. Why would you ask such a question? Why not ask if you should dress as a suicide bomber, or as a 9/11 victim, or anything else that will get you attention?

The costume, in context of a gaming forum, may be acceptable. Wearing it in public is asking for trouble and is completely insensitive. What if someone on the bus is a holocaust survivor? Maybe they won't say anything or attack you, but the fact of the matter is that you may completely ruin their day because you are incredibly insensitive.

Just because you have the freedom to say or do something doesn't mean that you should. This is just like those idiots protesting the funerals of soldiers.

 

[Krazy4Real]

Make sure you take a stroll through the Jewish neighborhood too. They will get a kick out of your wonderful uniform.