Black Ops Swastika Emblems Will Earn Xbox Live Ban

[smithy_2045]

As I've written in a similar thread

Symbols take on the meaning that they're associated with, that's their purpose
Microsoft can't prove your intentions, they're imtrinsically known
Better just to ban it all. Want a symbol for peace or buddhism or whatever the fuck else?
Use a symbol that wasn't used in a flag of a totalitarian, racist and murderous state.
Do none exist? (doubt it)
Make one.

I agree wholeheartedly with this post.

 

[mjc0961]

"It's not political correctness, it's fundamental respect," Toulouse adds. "If you think the swastika symbol should be re-evaluated by societies all over the Earth, I think that's great. Your Xbox Live profile or in game logo, which doesn't have the context to explain your goal, is not the right place to do that."

He is absolutely right. No matter what your thoughts on the symbol are, and no matter what kinds of other inappropriate content you have seen in other emblems that haven't been removed (yet), if it is against the rules to use that symbol for your emblem, it is against the rules. And if you think using it anyway to try and make a point is a good idea, enjoy your ban.

Remember,

Spoiler

 

[comet5002]

I have seen so many swastikas, and I don't even play all that often. Given the volume of them, it's clear the majority of people are creating them thinking they're being funny or clever. As such, ban 'em all.

This.

Honestly, anyone who thinks it's funny to be using that has the maturity level (or just plainly IS) of a 10 year old entitled brat boy who drops the F bomb because he thinks it's cool. Which, any user of this status deserves a ban in of themself.

 

[Tdc2182]

Nope, I'm not cool, but you can't exactly say I'm not at least more educated on it than the average, ridiculously wrong citizen. Saying I'm moronic because I understand what people like yourself don't is one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

It isn't my fault that millions of ignorant people are too stubborn to admit that what they thought/think about the symbol is wrong.

The problem isn't the symbol, it's the people that refuse to learn what it actually means. The Swastika itself isn't an offensive symbol. Rotate it 45 degrees and it can become something offensive.

You'd be surprised how many people know about the Greek and Buddhist backgrounds of it.

The point is, saying that it doesn't actually mean anything bad does not change the fact that it symbolized the death of over 64% of an entire race of people. It doesn't matter what it meant 3000 years ago. Meanings change. And the meaning of the Swastika changed dramatically 70 years ago.

And not realizing that it now has a very radical negative connotation behind it is where you fall into the moronic category. It is simple common sense that you cannot grasp.

 

[teebeeohh]

so everybody get the germany-treatment in reagards to swastikas? nice

 

[SelectivelyEvil13]

Huh. Now if Microsoft would place that same fervor and 'banitude' towards the inflammatory, incessantly bigoted morons who spew prejudiced or out of line vitriol at a deafening "11" into the mic? I think that would be fundamental respect. I always found that the actual people online were more offensive than any Swastika drawn out of genitalia they could possibly dream up.

 

[ReZerO]

wow, a lot of posts... but all i really have to say is who really cares, its a game, they made it they can do what they want with it, live with it. its not like it's going to make anybodys experiance less enjoyable to have that symbol disallowed... non story if you ask me.

 

[Tdc2182]

Yet again, what most people think it stands for, and what it actually stands for are two completely different things.

I'm not at all saying that the Nazi Swastika isn't offensive. I'm saying the the enforcers of this act should look at how it's being used. There will be an obvious difference between some kid trying to troll, and a person using it for its other meanings.

You tell me when you find the kid using it for Peace and luck.

 

[Char-Nobyl]

"The Xbox Live profile and in game content you create is accessible by everyone," he writes. "You do not have the context inside of it to explain your long winded contrarian view that your pithy text that violates the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct is actually intended to change people's minds about a commonly held understanding."

All I need is this soundbite to write him off as a dismissive asshole, as hilariously ironic as that sounds.

 

[-Samurai-]

Nope, I'm not cool, but you can't exactly say I'm not at least more educated on it than the average, ridiculously wrong citizen. Saying I'm moronic because I understand what people like yourself don't is one of the stupidest things I've ever read.

It isn't my fault that millions of ignorant people are too stubborn to admit that what they thought/think about the symbol is wrong.

The problem isn't the symbol, it's the people that refuse to learn what it actually means. The Swastika itself isn't an offensive symbol. Rotate it 45 degrees and it can become something offensive.

You'd be surprised how many people know about the Greek and Buddhist backgrounds of it.

The point is, saying that it doesn't actually mean anything bad does not change the fact that it symbolized the death of over 64% of an entire race of people. It doesn't matter what it meant 3000 years ago. Meanings change. And the meaning of the Swastika changed dramatically 70 years ago.

And not realizing that it now has a very radical negative connotation behind it is where you fall into the moronic category. It is simple common sense that you cannot grasp.

The meaning of the Swastika hasn't changed one bit. A new, rotated version appeared and took on its own meaning. If people are soo stupid that they can't tell the difference between something straight, and something rotated, they've got bigger problems to worry about than a symbol.

The Swastika means what it has always meant. The Nazi version is something completely different.

I'm sick of repeating the same thing over and over. So, take any reply you have, then re-read one of my other posts, and it'll be like I'm replying to you. You can probably start with that post I made about the Finnish Air Force having a Swastika on their flag, even to this day.

G'nite.

EDIT: I didn't mean to come off as an asshole, but we're clearly at a stalemate.
Lets just declare it that, shake hands, and move on.

 

[Danish rage]

I consequently report all with offensive emblems, that includes swastikas and gentalias.

It´s not the symbol it self i dont like.

Nor has it anything to do with nazi germany or the crimes comitted against the jews.

NO the reason i report the person with the dick or swastika, is because they probably are asswipes to even consider it´t cool or funny in the first place.

If you actually are a dickhungry nazi, then go right ahead.

 

[Atmos Duality]

In other culture it is used for other meaning, and people borned in those culture should know what it stand for.


Edit: Ok maybe not the 45 degree version. Nevermind

"Should" is a funny word.
While I won't presume to speak for what they teach elsewhere in the world, in the United States (most of Xbox Live's players) they certainly don't teach anything about old symbolism in Public Schools.

Hell, they don't teach unbias or accurate history in public schools either...but that's another subject for another topic.

You miss the point, there are other genocides that are associated to things (like the hammer and sickle) which are seen as "accpatable" by mordern sociality in most countries but yet when one mentions (or shows) the Swastika within sociality, you will be branded with a negative stigma.

That's because those symbols have more than one meaning in the public eye.
To some, the original sickle and hammer means communism more than mass-genocide.
While Stalin was indeed the communist dictator we all love to hate, he isn't the only communist leader associated with the symbol. People still think of Lenin and [incorrectly] Marx.

Christianity used the cross (Both Crux and Crispin) as a positive symbol FAR FAR FAR MORE OFTEN than in negative; Well before the Crusades.

The Swastika? Its meaning is relatively obscure in popular culture up until the 1930s.

This is all conjecture on my part though. So why not look at it in practical terms.

While I can agree with the necessity for expression of freedom, the popular/public culture we have today simply isn't mature enough to use this sort of symbolism that way (especially given the age demographic of XBL). Perhaps for the more academically minded it could work but those aren't the sort of people one expects to encounter when they fire up Xbox Live.

Either way, banning the swastika in this case is going to solve more problems than it creates.
Besides, the less bitching and trolling we have standing between us and gaming, the better.

 

[The Great JT]

It's amazing how much influence the symbolism of the Nazis have even 70 years later.

 

[TeacakeWeasel]

So what if I were to use imagery like this...

which is related to the kaisers rather then the Nazis, is that going to get me banned? because this looks more awsome then any image Hitler could come up with.

 

[MajorDooshbag]

I think this ban is dumb but the my reasons why- This symbol has other meanings, this is obviously political correctness, there are other symbols that could have offensive connotations- have already been posted repeatedly so I'll just leave it at that.

 

[Turtleboy1017]

So a horse having his dick cut off with a chainsaw is ok but a swastika is banned.


Power tripping bastards.

Yes. Because A horse chopping off its own dick isn't exactly offensive to an entire race of people.

Use your head.

The next time a dictator decides to go on a genocidal spree, he should make his official symbol the number 1. That way, our future generations can all refuse to study their arithmetic because the number 1 offends them.

Also your avatar of a baby smoking would probably offend all of California. It's a good thing they all can't see it right now or you would be facing subpoenas in a holding cell.

 

[Tdc2182]

EDIT: I didn't mean to come off as an asshole, but we're clearly at a stalemate.
Lets just declare it that, shake hands, and move on.

Sounds good, but first, calling someone an idiot for not seeing the difference between this

Spoiler

and this

Spoiler

is a little crazy.

 

[Choppaduel]

Stupid Nazis. Why did you have to ruin the swastika for everyone else?

They didn't. The people that refuse to see it as anything other than a Nazi symbol ruin it for everyone else.

what are they thinking? every time you see a swastika the Nazi's win?

whats inherently wrong with 8 line segments in an arrangement?