Swastikas Found On Hanukkah Wrapping Paper

[kent]

Really?

When Cheryl Shapiro visited the holiday aisle at her local Walgreens in Los Angeles over the weekend, she was shocked to spot Hanukkah wrapping paper with a geometric border design that had a swastika shape in it. Shopping with her grandson at the time, Shapiro alerted the store’s manager, who promptly removed the gift wrap, and at least one other Walgreens in the area has done the same.

"I told them I wanted this taken off the shelves immediately -- not just your store, but national," Shapiro, who is Jewish, told NBC LA. "I was really putting my foot down because....

www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/swastikas-found-on-hanukkah-wrapping-paper/ar-BBgvaKU

[Sam_2.0]

Except - it's a backwards swastika (from the one she's thinking about) and is actually another religious symbol when shown the way it is. But really, it's just an intersection of a geometric design and looks nothing like swastikas. Someone just wanted to fuss.

[Value Buy]

But, but, but, we must be political correct.

[ArchietheDragon]

the jewish people aren't happy unless they figure out they are being persecuted.  

[swasat]

Dec 9, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Except - it's a backwards swastika (from the one she's thinking about) and is actually another religious symbol when shown the way it is. But really, it's just an intersection of a geometric design and looks nothing like swastikas. Someone just wanted to fuss.

Swastika is the sacred symbol for Hindus. They use it everywhere, on religious books, on texts, on relgious clothing, in the temples, during prayer.

Should the Hindus now be offended that their sacred symbol is being maligned?

[mroped]

People see what they want when they want. Yes, Swastica has been the symbol of some type of evil but I think is about time to get over it. I mean no offense to any Jewish person but it has been more than 50 years and very few that experienced the evil represented by the sign are alive yet.
Swastica has been used in ancient times as a religious symbol by quite a few cultures.
it is ultimately just a symbol and the designers used it for that paper with no malicious intent.
what it gets me is that is saying that was on "hannuka" paper. How does one know that this very paper was designed specifically for Hanukkah wrappings?

[billisonboard]

Dec 9, 2014 13:11:47 GMT -5 mroped said:

... it has been more than 50 years ...

Here is a site you can access today: www.americannaziparty.com/

[Angel!]

Dec 9, 2014 13:11:47 GMT -5 mroped said:

what it gets me is that is saying that was on "hannuka" paper. How does one know that this very paper was designed specifically for Hanukkah wrappings?

It is blue & silver which is traditional for Hanukkah.  Much like you would generally assume red & green paper is for Christmas. Plus it may have had dreidels or "Happy Hanukkah" on it for all we know.  We've seen only a tiny bit of the paper.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 9, 2014 13:11:47 GMT -5 mroped said:

People see what they want when they want. Yes, Swastica has been the symbol of some type of evil but I think is about time to get over it. I mean no offense to any Jewish person but it has been more than 50 years and very few that experienced the evil represented by the sign are alive yet.
Swastica has been used in ancient times as a religious symbol by quite a few cultures.
it is ultimately just a symbol and the designers used it for that paper with no malicious intent.
what it gets me is that is saying that was on "hannuka" paper. How does one know that this very paper was designed specifically for Hanukkah wrappings?

The wrapping paper for Hanukkah that I've seen is usually a royal or bright blue and has the 6 pointed star on it or menorahs on it.  My Target has a section near the Christmas/Seasonal stuff with other Hanukkah things. 

Some images live forever.  I know some of the Native American tribes used to use swastikas too. 

[Value Buy]

Dec 9, 2014 13:08:18 GMT -5 swasat said:

Dec 9, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Except - it's a backwards swastika (from the one she's thinking about) and is actually another religious symbol when shown the way it is. But really, it's just an intersection of a geometric design and looks nothing like swastikas. Someone just wanted to fuss.

Swastika is the sacred symbol for Hindus. They use it everywhere, on religious books, on texts, on relgious clothing, in the temples, during prayer.

Should the Hindus now be offended that their sacred symbol is being maligned?

No, but then again I do not anticipate them buying a lot of Jewish holiday gift wrapping either.

[swasat]

Dec 9, 2014 13:31:20 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

Dec 9, 2014 13:08:18 GMT -5 swasat said:

Swastika is the sacred symbol for Hindus. They use it everywhere, on religious books, on texts, on relgious clothing, in the temples, during prayer.

Should the Hindus now be offended that their sacred symbol is being maligned?

No, but then again I do not anticipate them buying a lot of Jewish holiday gift wrapping either.

Agree. But Hindus are everywhere, you will find loads of Indian Hindus in America. None of them make a huge hue and cry about the Swastika.

I d believe history has been very cruel to jews. But at some point humanity, as a whole, needs to move on. Remember the past, learn from it, just don't dwell on it so much that smallest of things cause a furore.

[Virgil Showlion]

swasat: Your username is very nearly an anagram for "swastika". In fact, "Swastika helmets" is a perfect anagram for "swasat likes them".

I'm not going to judge you for putting swastikas on your helmet. That's your business. But I will warn you that in this climate of Nazi apophenia, you ought to be mindful of who you reason with. People are sensitive about these types of things.

[swasat]

my screen name was decided on a very lazy day at work: So wish it was a saturday = swasat. I thought I was being quirky.

Point taken though.

[Tennesseer]

Dec 9, 2014 13:04:14 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Except - it's a backwards swastika (from the one she's thinking about) and is actually another religious symbol when shown the way it is. But really, it's just an intersection of a geometric design and looks nothing like swastikas. Someone just wanted to fuss.

But if you're opening up the present in front of a mirror the design is reversed.

Having said that, this is even a stretch for me. Using the Greek Key design would have been just as festive if put into the colors of Hanukkah.

[kittensaver]

Just to play Devil's Advocate: I agree with this woman.

Clearly swastikas have existed throughout history in several cultures. There is nothing wrong with those cultures having their symbols!

BUT this paper is not about other cultures and other traditions. It is paper intended for a Jewish holiday that (probably inadvertently) contained a symbol that is still horrifying (and offensive) to many Jewish people.

This woman was not complaining about finding some random wrapping paper with a symbol that was "personally offensive" to her - - she was talking about a public product meant for Jewish consumption that contained something offensive to Jewish culture. Period. I'm sure there are Christians out there who would complain if they found something offensive to them on a product aimed specifically at them. Oh wait . . .

Let's not make this about "getting over it." She was not complaining about something random not aimed at her consumption. She was complaining for what I consider to be a valid reason.

<<< flame away >>>

[happyhoix]

Dec 9, 2014 13:11:47 GMT -5 mroped said:

People see what they want when they want. Yes, Swastica has been the symbol of some type of evil but I think is about time to get over it. I mean no offense to any Jewish person but it has been more than 50 years and very few that experienced the evil represented by the sign are alive yet.
Swastica has been used in ancient times as a religious symbol by quite a few cultures.
it is ultimately just a symbol and the designers used it for that paper with no malicious intent.
what it gets me is that is saying that was on "hannuka" paper. How does one know that this very paper was designed specifically for Hanukkah wrappings?

In my little Southern town, some redneck dip shit spray painted one of the side of the clinic where my Jewish doctor worked.

Still being used, still a very vile symbol.

That being said, I think this was just a clueless mistake by the company that made the paper - not an intentional insult.

[zibazinski]

I hope so. 

[billisonboard]

Dec 9, 2014 18:10:10 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

... <<< flame away >>>

No flames. I agree with you.

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 9, 2014 18:10:10 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

Just to play Devil's Advocate: I agree with this woman.

Clearly swastikas have existed throughout history in several cultures. There is nothing wrong with those cultures having their symbols!

BUT this paper is not about other cultures and other traditions. It is paper intended for a Jewish holiday that (probably inadvertently) contained a symbol that is still horrifying (and offensive) to many Jewish people.

This woman was not complaining about finding some random wrapping paper with a symbol that was "personally offensive" to her - - she was talking about a public product meant for Jewish consumption that contained something offensive to Jewish culture. Period. I'm sure there are Christians out there who would complain if they found something offensive to them on a product aimed specifically at them. Oh wait . . .

Let's not make this about "getting over it." She was not complaining about something random not aimed at her consumption. She was complaining for what I consider to be a valid reason.

<<< flame away >>>

I won't flame you (mainly because I don't mind stores pulling products in response to customer objections), but I will point out that this isn't the most airtight argument.

Let's assume that the store specifically categorizes wrapping paper as "Hanukkah wrapping paper", "Christmas wrapping paper", etc. rather than "holiday wrapping paper" generally. If the issue was limited to "intended market", the sensible course of action would have been to move the stock of offending paper from the Hanukkah bin to the Christmas bin three feet away from it. Management instead decided to pull the entire stock from all of their stores. That was a wise decision in my view, despite the short term financial loss. Any wrapping paper Jews consider an anathema is very likely going to be treated as such whether it's in the Hanukkah bin or any other bin besides.

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 10, 2014 7:05:19 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

Dec 9, 2014 18:10:10 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

Just to play Devil's Advocate: I agree with this woman.

Clearly swastikas have existed throughout history in several cultures. There is nothing wrong with those cultures having their symbols!

BUT this paper is not about other cultures and other traditions. It is paper intended for a Jewish holiday that (probably inadvertently) contained a symbol that is still horrifying (and offensive) to many Jewish people.

This woman was not complaining about finding some random wrapping paper with a symbol that was "personally offensive" to her - - she was talking about a public product meant for Jewish consumption that contained something offensive to Jewish culture. Period. I'm sure there are Christians out there who would complain if they found something offensive to them on a product aimed specifically at them. Oh wait . . .

Let's not make this about "getting over it." She was not complaining about something random not aimed at her consumption. She was complaining for what I consider to be a valid reason.

<<< flame away >>>

I won't flame you (mainly because I don't mind stores pulling products in response to customer objections), but I will point out that this isn't the most airtight argument.

Let's assume that the store specifically categorizes wrapping paper as "Hanukkah wrapping paper", "Christmas wrapping paper", etc. rather than "holiday wrapping paper" generally. If the issue was limited to "intended market", the sensible course of action would have been to move the stock of offending paper from the Hanukkah bin to the Christmas bin three feet away from it. Management instead decided to pull the entire stock from all of their stores. That was a wise decision in my view, despite the short term financial loss. Any wrapping paper Jews consider an anathema is very likely going to be treated as such whether it's in the Hanukkah bin or any other bin besides.

The offending part of the paper was the edge.  What was on the rest of the paper?  Menorahs?  Stars of David?  Other symbols I vaguely recognize as Jewish but can't name?  I wouldn't feel right wrapping Christmas presents in it.  Now if it's only dreidels (crud, it's not in spellcheck), I could probably use it.  Although someone in my extended family (or my DH) would notice and comment. 

[Virgil Showlion]

Dec 10, 2014 8:25:04 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Dec 10, 2014 7:05:19 GMT -5 Virgil Showlion said:

I won't flame you (mainly because I don't mind stores pulling products in response to customer objections), but I will point out that this isn't the most airtight argument.

Let's assume that the store specifically categorizes wrapping paper as "Hanukkah wrapping paper", "Christmas wrapping paper", etc. rather than "holiday wrapping paper" generally. If the issue was limited to "intended market", the sensible course of action would have been to move the stock of offending paper from the Hanukkah bin to the Christmas bin three feet away from it. Management instead decided to pull the entire stock from all of their stores. That was a wise decision in my view, despite the short term financial loss. Any wrapping paper Jews consider an anathema is very likely going to be treated as such whether it's in the Hanukkah bin or any other bin besides.

The offending part of the paper was the edge.  What was on the rest of the paper?  Menorahs?  Stars of David?  Other symbols I vaguely recognize as Jewish but can't name?  I wouldn't feel right wrapping Christmas presents in it.  Now if it's only dreidels (crud, it's not in spellcheck), I could probably use it.  Although someone in my extended family (or my DH) would notice and comment. 

There might have been Jewish symbols/items on it but from the photo I get the impression the only embellishment is the border.



Why they would put a generic wrapping paper into the "Hanukkah" bin? For the same reason they load generic wrapping paper into the "Christmas" bin along with the Santas and candy canes: they want to have more than just a few kinds of wrapping paper in each category.

[Waffle]

I went to google images and found another picture of the giftwrap, the border is actually a repetitive pattern on the paper - the entire roll is just silver, plus blue lines and the "border" pattern.   Is there really a Hanukkah paper section in areas with a large Jewish population?  Or would a Jewish person just have thought it was Hanukkah wrapping paper because of the colors?  (I really don't know).

In either case, I hope it was just an inadvertent mistake.  I don't blame the customer for asking that it be removed from the shelves.

[workpublic]

She then promptly sped off in her Mercedes

[mollyanna58]

Dec 10, 2014 13:41:09 GMT -5 workpublic said:

She then promptly sped off in her Mercedes

? ? ?  What does that mean?

[billisonboard]

Dec 10, 2014 13:45:19 GMT -5 mollyanna58 said:

Dec 10, 2014 13:41:09 GMT -5 workpublic said:

She then promptly sped off in her Mercedes

? ? ?  What does that mean?

My guess:

Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer, a multinational division of the German manufacturer Daimler AG. www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=tablet-android-samsung&source=android-browser&q=mercedes

So if you object to swastikas on your wrapping paper, you should not drive a car from a German car maker. (FWIW, I don't agree with this - just think that was the point being made)

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 10, 2014 14:00:57 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Dec 10, 2014 13:45:19 GMT -5 mollyanna58 said:

? ? ?  What does that mean?

My guess:

Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer, a multinational division of the German manufacturer Daimler AG. www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=tablet-android-samsung&source=android-browser&q=mercedes

So if you object to swastikas on your wrapping paper, you should not drive a car from a German car maker. (FWIW, I don't agree with this - just think that was the point being made)

I think Mercedes-Benz used Jewish laborers to build things during WWII, kind of a slave labor force.  And reparations were not made or were inadequately made. 

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Is this like Where's Waldo? I am looking at the paper and I can't see a swastika anywhere.

Okay now I see it if I squint, turn my head sideways and REALLY stare at a single piece of the design.

I think it's a stretch to claim the paper is decorated with swastikas. 

Speaking of it being sacred to the Hindus we went to a temple in Borneo. Stupid people in our group started freaking out when they saw it and made loud ignorant comments. Way to reinforce the stupid American tourist stereotype.

.

[billisonboard]

Dec 10, 2014 14:05:29 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Dec 10, 2014 14:00:57 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

My guess:

Mercedes-Benz is a German automobile manufacturer, a multinational division of the German manufacturer Daimler AG. www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=tablet-android-samsung&source=android-browser&q=mercedes

So if you object to swastikas on your wrapping paper, you should not drive a car from a German car maker. (FWIW, I don't agree with this - just think that was the point being made)

I think Mercedes-Benz used Jewish laborers to build things during WWII, kind of a slave labor force.  And reparations were not made or were inadequately made. 

Ford and GM products would be a problem also then (  Ford and GM Scrutinized for Alleged Nazi Collaboration). I would think the the whole Axis thing would rule out Japanese models as well.So what could she drive?

[Wisconsin Beth]

So what could she drive?
A Hundai?  Something from South America? 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Dec 10, 2014 14:17:05 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Dec 10, 2014 14:05:29 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

I think Mercedes-Benz used Jewish laborers to build things during WWII, kind of a slave labor force.  And reparations were not made or were inadequately made. 

Ford and GM products would be a problem also then (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/nov98/nazicars30.htm). I would think the the whole Axis thing would rule out Japanese models as well.So what could she drive?

Your link doesn't link and I'm too lazy to copy and paste it into my browser but if I recall correctly, there's a LOT of companies, including pharmaceutical ones that are on that list.