one man's happy is another one's despair

I was recently reading a book that talks about the Jewish Holocaust during WWII. And one morning, it suddenly dawns on me that the term "grammar Nazi" must be quite trouble some for the people of that region. I imagine it would be difficult to hear that dreaded N-word being brandied about with such callousness, and being associated with humor.

Much like the Swastik, that we in India use for all things auspicious, must be bringing a chill into the hearts of those that were tormented by the Third Reich. I had always thought there was a difference between the two swastiks. The Hindu auspicious one was clockwise and square, while the Nazi symbol was on it's edge and anti clockwise. I recently discovered that this is not actually the case. The direction for the Nazi symbol was clockwise or anticlockwise both, and square / on edge is merely a matter of alignment.

So we in India are putting up this holy symbol with love and reverence all over the place. At entrances to our homes, on road signs, at temples, whenever we start some new endeavor, anywhere and everywhere. How does a holocaust survivor handle this when he/she visits India? How does the German that is trying to outlive the heinous acts of his/her ancestors deal with this? It would help to have some perspective wouldn't it. In India we at least know that the Swastik (in some form) is associated with the Nazis. A lot of westerners may not even know that it has a different connotation in India.

Sensitivity to another's beliefs and understanding perspectives is easier said than done. But I sure am glad the internet is doing this one thing right - showing us all that there are literally opposing world views that exist and the more we equip ourselves with knowledge, the better it will be. For all of us.

Read up, and be aware.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

(Yes I know, this is a more preachy post than normal, but bear with me. Happens sometimes :))