 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| ||
|
← "Who said there's no money in blogging?" |
Return to Main Page
| "Hong Kong Monopoly" →
| TrackBack (1)
July 01, 2005
You are on the invidual archive page of Asia's ambivalence to Hitler. Click Simon World weblog for the main page.
|
|
Asia's ambivalence to Hitler
A group of school kids in Singapore were taking part in a music camp. They were divided into teams and told to choose a team name and leadership idol. One of the teams chose the name 'Hitler'. Naturally the Israeli and German embassies re-acted with alarm, and the students are to undergo an education program about one of history's most evil men. The teachers at the camp have not been reprimanded, nor did they question the students' choice at the time.
What it does reflect is a general ambivalence about Nazi Germany in Asia. Hong Kong fasion chain Izzue infamously had a Nazi theme within the last two years. Last June I wrote about this ignorance of non-Chinese history: There is an appalling lack of understanding of non-Chinese history in this part of the world. China can feel rightly aggrieved by what happened to it during WW2 and prior to that at the hands of the Japanese. However every few months some cr@p like this surfaces, where a shop is selling Nazi inspired merchandise or a bar is decked out in such regalia. Unfortunately it seems this stuff is seen as almost cool and certainly nothing out of the ordinary. That such things happen in the first place demonstrate the ignorance of non-Chinese that is extremely common here. It is inexcusable.Nothinhg's changed. The Israeli and German embassies need to become pro-active, rather than re-active on this issue. I should note this fascination with Nazi-ism is not driven by anti-semitism. Indeed for the most part Chinese people have a flattering stereotype of Jews as industrious, educated and business savy. It's just that the evils of Nazi-ism are barely taught in schools, so ignorance prevails. Compare and contrast the reaction to any mention of Japan's actions in WW2. Other reading I stand corrected, thanks to Huichieh. Singaporean blogosphere reaction: Singapore Angle
Trackbacks:
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://blog.mu.nu/cgi/trackback.cgi/96300 Send a manual trackback ping to this post. Reductio ad Hitlerum Excerpt: ...it make me wonder if the best way to solve the problem is not to continue drumming "Hitler was evil" because beyond a certain point, tedium is bound to set in... Weblog: From a Singapore Angle Tracked: July 1, 2005 12:33 PM
Comments:
"Even more curiously, it doesn't seem to have registered on the Singaporean blogosphere." see: http://www.djourne.net/singaporeink/index.php/archives/2005/06/29/ignorant-students-parents/ The last one has more links to others; check also discussion in the comments section. The most that can be concluded is that there is only a limited degree of reflexive urge to talk about such topics in the SG Blogosphere... From experience, most Singaporeans who know their history would not have been 'fascinated' with Nazism in any unhealthy way; those who don't... well, they don't. posted by: HUICHIEH LOY on 07.01.05 at 11:23 AM [permalink]Actually you'd be surprised to hear that so many locals using Hitler as an English name. When asked why the general response is "He was a strong man." posted by: HKMacs on 07.01.05 at 11:41 AM [permalink]I stand corrected. posted by: Simon on 07.01.05 at 11:44 AM [permalink]I sat next to a girl on the MTR three days ago who was wearing a complete Nazi uniform, complete with epaulets, insignia and shiny buttons. She did not, however, have black boots or trousers. A very interesting moment. posted by: doug crets on 07.01.05 at 02:09 PM [permalink]Is that right doug? Amazing. posted by: Joe on 07.01.05 at 06:32 PM [permalink]Absolutely true. I did not take a mobile phone pic of her, but even if i did, I don't have the technology to upload it here. posted by: doug crets on 07.02.05 at 12:40 AM [permalink]Jesus, despite what we're talking about here, just picturing the scene is, well, what can you say? I'm pretty speechless. The word 'insensitive' springs to mind. Ignorance isn't an excuse. I'd imagine that the equivilent of that would be someone standing on the London Tube or the 'A' Train in New York in full Japanese Imperial Army regalia.....but the difference is that wouldn't happen (unless someone knows otherwise of course). Can you imagine, if that did happen and the Chinese press caught wind of it? Speaking of Jews, if you compare 2,000 years of pograms topped off by the Holocaust, it really does make the Chinese victim mentality complex truly, truly laughable. posted by: Joe on 07.02.05 at 01:05 AM [permalink] |
|