You have to love when a stupid act causes an even more pinheaded reaction.
Several German lawmakers have called for a Europe-wide ban on Nazi insignia following widespread outrage after Britain’s Prince Harry wore a swastika as part of a costume at a high-society gathering.
Prince Harry, who went to a costume party dressed in an Afrika Korps uniform with a swastika armband, “really lacked taste,” said Wolfgang Bosbach, deputy leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic parliamentary group.
Bosbach said it was possible European justice ministers at an upcoming meeting would discuss bringing in a European prohibition on displaying the swastika and other Nazi signs. These already are banned in Germany, which nonetheless has a worrying problem of xenophobic neo-Nazi activities, particularly in the former Communist east of the country.
“All of Europe has suffered in the past because of the crimes of the Nazis, therefore it would be logical for Nazi symbols to be banned all over Europe,” added Silvana Koch-Merin, who heads Germany’s liberal Free Democrats in the European Parliament. She also called for the question of a ban to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of justice ministers.
This calls into question Ms. Koch-Merin’s grasp of the concept of logic.
The Social Democrats deputy parliamentary leader, Michael Müller, agreed that study was needed to find out how a German-style anti-Nazi law could be transposed to the rest of Europe. Dieter Wiefelspütz, a Social Democratic party specialist on justice questions, said Nazi symbols were reminders of a “humiliating” and “deathly” concept of humanity.
But expanding the ban on Nazi symbols across the EU is unlikely to happen, as many countries consider their display — no matter how repugnant — is protected by democratic principles of free speech.
The young prince’s choice of costume was indeed tasteless and poorly thought out for someone so much in the public’s eye. Also, it goes without saying that the history of the Nazis is obviously atrocious. However, to ban a symbol because of this history is ridiculous. What next, a ban on the letter “K” because of its prominent role in the acronym KKK? Beyond the free speech aspect, I would counter that to ban the swastika would only add to its attraction among those seeking to rebel against society.
Comments
3 responses to “Calls for EU Ban on Nazi Symbols”
I think the free speech/expression is important. When you censor people, no matter how repugnant that which you are censoring, no matter how principled your reasons, you are stepping down the road of tyranny.
My friends and I dressed up as Hitler + body guards one year for a halloween party in High School.
I always found it ironic that dressing as a Nazi is somehow more repugnant than dressing as say…Satan, the evil one incarnate, or a serial killer (bloody hockey mask / Jason / Friday 13th.)
I denounce the ideals of the Nazi party, and the historical crimes commited in its name. But I understand the point of Halloween is to dress in the costume of frightful things, and people who can’t grasp that concept need to broaden their perspective.
John, as usual you make good points :-).