Not universally, though. There are parts of the world where the swastika has had positive nazi-free associations for centuries. I occasionally drive home past this temple which is decorated with swastikas. One of the oldest churches in the city has swastikas in its stained glass windows. And one of the staff members where I work is named Swastika because it’s an old family name in her country of origin and her parents only heard about WWII as something that happened far away.
It’s obviously a fucking swastika. It’s not even a question. The swastika has been used as a symbol of hate since the late 1930’s.
Not universally, though. There are parts of the world where the swastika has had positive nazi-free associations for centuries. I occasionally drive home past this temple which is decorated with swastikas. One of the oldest churches in the city has swastikas in its stained glass windows. And one of the staff members where I work is named Swastika because it’s an old family name in her country of origin and her parents only heard about WWII as something that happened far away.
I think OP was playing the role of “a westerner with absolutely no knowledge of history or religion” when they made the comment.