Offensive (Historical) Symbols in Modern Society

[pharvey]

I was reading an article (OK, in the Daily Fail ) regarding yet more WOKE BS. It did however get me thinking - unusual these days, I know!

The story was "The Royal Parks have claimed the Albert Memorial in Hyde Park is 'highly offensive' because it reflects a 'victorian view of the world.' " - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... claim.html

A great friend of mine loves his architecture and history - whilst I'm not on his level of knowledge (or passion), he always pointed out the amount of Swastikas on UK buildings and always made it very clear that the symbol was not Nazi, but Hindu - meaning Good Fortune.

Just to name a few buildings in the UK that have the "Evil Swastika" - The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, India House and St Andrew's Church.... Should we also tear these and others down?

It just goes to show that the WOKE Brigade know feck all about history, symbols or their true meaning!

What symbols in Thailand/elsewhere are now classed as offensive I wonder?

[Big Boy]

Personally I'd look at the people who are being so badly offended before considering demolition.

I could see the writing on the wall with the PC brigade in the UK, which is why I couldn't get away fast enough.

Giving in to them will only encourage further stupidity.

[PeteC]

The "Woke Brigade" will fade into history soon enough, just like so many other crack pot movements throughout history.

The Past, Present, and Future of the Swastika in Japan

https://www.asianstudies.org/publicatio ... -in-japan/

[PeteC]

Palad Khik (Thai: ปลัดขิก) is the Thai phallic symbol that adorns temples, shrines of all descriptions, and people's houses. Some say it's Buddhist, some say it's not. Wherever it came from and it's current meaning, it's an ingrained and ancient part of Thai culture.

I haven't heard of any protest from "woke" tourists or Thais concerning this symbol. If it started they would get laughed off the internet. The "woke" tourists probably think it's cute (and useful) and buy a miniature version to take home with them, or carry in their pocket?

[pharvey]

The "Woke Brigade" will fade into history soon enough, just like so many other crack pot movements throughout history.

The Past, Present, and Future of the Swastika in Japan

https://www.asianstudies.org/publicatio ... -in-japan/

That was an interesting read PeteC - thanks.

[pharvey]

Palad Khik (Thai: ปลัดขิก) is the Thai phallic symbol that adorns temples, shrines of all descriptions, and people's houses. Some say it's Buddhist, some say it's not. Wherever it came from and it's current meaning, it's an ingrained and ancient part of Thai culture.

I haven't heard of any protest from "woke" tourists or Thais concerning this symbol. If it started they would get laughed off the internet. The "woke" tourists probably think it's cute (and useful) and buy a miniature version to take home with them, or carry in their pocket?

It's a weird one and there are many "Parks" around the world - there was one in Japan that seemed out of character, but those at the plant I was working on seemed proud to take me to see!

I read the whole thing originated in India - yet another God I guess, they do have quite a few!

[GroveHillWanderer]

Personally I'd look at the people who are being so badly offended before considering demolition.

I could see the writing on the wall with the PC brigade in the UK, which is why I couldn't get away fast enough.

Giving in to them will only encourage further stupidity.

Nobody - absolutely nobody, is talking about demolition. This is a story about a passage that was added to the Royal Parks website a year ago, saying that some people might find the Western supremacy world view espoused by the monument, problematic.

And the website does not use the phrase "highly offensive" - the Daily Fail has just made that up.

Why they chose to run the story just now when it dates back to last year, is anyone's guess.

[Big Boy]

I was responding to this:

Should we also tear these and others down?

However, I agree, just another bit of slow news day bucket journalism.

[pharvey]

Nobody - absolutely nobody, is talking about demolition. This is a story about a passage that was added to the Royal Parks website a year ago, saying that some people might find the Western supremacy world view espoused by the monument, problematic.

And the website does not use the phrase "highly offensive" - the Daily Fail has just made that up.

Why they chose to run the story just now when it dates back to last year, is anyone's guess.

My intention was not to cause any argument, but further discussion - as I pointed out in my post, yes it was the "Daily Fail", but also it had me thinking (away from the original article).

Demolition and destruction of similar buildings, statues etc. IS a real issue - look at Bristol, the "Home of Slavery" (named by some).

GroveHillWanderer - when you say "Nobody - absolutely nobody, is talking about demolition", that may be true with regards to the Daily Fail and Albert Memorial story, but is not true for countless other buildings/structures/statues across the world...

[Big Boy]

Demolition and destruction of similar buildings, statues etc. IS a real issue - look at Bristol, the "Home of Slavery" (named by some).

That is exactly the story that came to mind when reading the OP.

[lomuamart]

I don't even fully know what the term means.

[pharvey]

I don't even fully know what the term means.

Which term exactly lomu?