Swastikas and Germany in the modern day...

[areo16]

I'd like to open a thread about Germany in the modern day and its policy about the Swastika. I'm from the US, and I'm trying to understand Germany's freedom of speech views and laws in the modern day. But especially its outlaw of Swastikas.

Of course, we all know the Swastikas history, but I'd like to hear from Germans and what they think of the law?

To put it on a level understanding I can say this: In the US, we have a strong slavery history. To compare the Holocaust with our slavery history isn't what I'm after here. One could argue that to demote someone to a piece of property, with the emotional and painful hardships that a slave would go through may even be as bad or worse than being gassed in a concentration camp.

But, most of American history is draped with slavery. However, I wouldn't think that an outlaw of the CSA (Confederate) flag would be justified. Of course our freedom of speech rights are very unique and deeply embedded in our constitution. I think history is something we should be proud of, and we can look at the good things in our past. Today, when I think of the CSA I like to think of their fighting will power against astounding odds. I also like how they challenged the Federal government and voiced their opinions, and revolted (acts Thomas Jefferson had promoted during the Revolution that would cleanse a government periodically). I thought they exercised their freedom to disagree with the government, and even bearing arms against a government they saw as unjust, just like the Continental Congress did years before.

How do Germans feel? Do you feel the same as I?

I personally feel that Germans should embrace their past. Even their Nazi past. Their military feats were astounding and it would be something I'd be proud of, other things aside. I know time will help heal wounds. But is outlawing the Swastika really sending the right message? It seems almost ironic. Didn't the Nazi government outlaw political symbols or flags that they disagreed with? I'd also think that outlawing the symbol would be disgracing the men who fought for the ideology and died for it. Not all Nazis knew of the Holocaust or were "evil". I'd feel upset if the government outlawed the CSA flag, knowing that many Americans bled for that flag.

I'd also be a bit frustrated if I couldn't play video games with Swastikas in them, because I enjoy playing historical games. Not allowing a Swastika in a game or a movie would really ruin the atmosphere for me. Because they often use other symbols, that didn't even exist. I wouldn't care for it much. I'm a history junkie though...

Anyhow, food for thought...