Should we all be upset by this news? Is it of any general consequence just what others are selling, if the buying market wants to spend it's money on it? Nazi imagery is a part of history, is it not? As are crosses and images of Christ a part also of history. Should perhaps ALL history be blotted out? Frank
Well, there are plenty of WWII movies out that depict the Nazi emblem, just as tv show Hogan's Hero's did. So...........
The Maltese Cross predates Nazi Germany by a couple of hundred years but still, most Americans especially those who are more familiar with WWII would find it offensive. The kids today wouldn’t give it a second thought. That said, I really believe some bike clubs have used the Swastika for it’s shock value more than anything else. Certainly, the 1%ers from the 50”s-60’s used several things to instill some shock and fear to the public so to me it’s nothing that isn’t expected from a couple of today’s clubs. Note: Some riders might just be a part of the American Nazi party and to my knowledge, it isn’t illegal to belong to it just as it isn’t illegal to show the hammer and sickle and belong to the Communist Party. Granted, it’s in ill taste and probably not the smartest thing to do in this day and age in the U.S. but Sturgis is all about the party and showing who has the baddest ride and who is the baddest rider or club. If they were high school footballers the emblem would be a lion or tiger or a mongoose just to show how bad and powerful they are. Now, if they were a bunch of crazy white guys out there banging in the heads of people of another race, then I’d be worried. As an addendum: I used to catch side-winders and use the skeletons to make necklaces when I lived in Nevada. Not surprisingly, the Hessians, a local bike club couldn’t get enough of them even though they tore the heck out of people’s necks and many thought they were objects of voodoo. Still, they looked wicked and gave the wearer an air of power via it’s shock value. They look mean ergo the wearer must be mean and……… I made some serious bucks in my spare time.