Swastika - offensive? (1 Viewer)

[BassNBrew]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

 

[cosjobs]

Interesting dilemma. I bet there is some kind of precedent on this. 

 

[timschochet]

The Indian version looks a little different. I've seen it on jewelry and it's usually opposite direction of the Nazi version, and surrounded by other symbols as well. But I can't speak for the property you're referring to.

 

[squistion]

The Indian version looks a little different. I've seen it on jewelry and it's usually opposite direction of the Nazi version, and surrounded by other symbols as well. But I can't speak for the property you're referring to.

A little bit, but some variations are close enough to make me uncomfortable.

https://www.google.com/search?q=indian+swastika&client=gmail&rls=aso&authuser=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA8a6QzK7mAhXJK80KHRppB14Q_AUoAXoECAsQAw&biw=1027&bih=503#spf=1576101628835

 

[Juxtatarot]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

Maybe just have a conversation with him about your concerns? He may volunteer to take it down.

 

[tonydead]

Two questions before I answer yours:  What does this have to do with PSF?  and  What's with the link to the real swastika, like people never heard of it?

 

[squistion]

Two questions before I answer yours:  What does this have to do with PSF?  and  What's with the link to the real swastika, like people never heard of it?

Be assured if someone started a thread in the FFA entitled "Is the Indian Swastika offensive?" (and giving the OPs fact situation) there would be a half dozen posts complaining it was in the wrong forum and demanding it be moved to PSF.

This is potentially a politically loaded discussion, touching on freedom of speech and freedom of religion issues (probably a few more) so it definitely belongs in this forum.

 

[Kal El]

If used in Indian culture, I don't believe it's offensive. Other uses, I'd be very suspect.

 

[Joe Summer]

Dot or feather?

 

[Henry Ford]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

When you say you're leasing it - will the owner be on site, or is this a property that only others will be in full time once it's leased?

 

[wikkidpissah]

When i moved to New Mexico 40some years ago, there were swastikas all over the place. I believe its a Navajo symbol of welcome and was a common figure in their rug patterns. There's a hotel in Mountainair - about an hour SE of Albq - where, as far as i know, swastikas are still a part of their exterior design

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

Eh, we have lots of old homes here and I've walked into more than one that had swastikas on the tile, they predate the 1930s easily.

 

[BassNBrew]

When you say you're leasing it - will the owner be on site, or is this a property that only others will be in full time once it's leased?

Owner is moving

 

[Sand]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

You landlords have all the fun.

 

[Snorkelson]

https://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/swastika

One of my clients is Indian and has some of these as decor in a property I’m trying to lease. I don’t want to offend them by asking them to remove what I assume are religious symbols but I don’t want to be accused of a fair housing violation by representing an owner the is displaying a symbol many find offensive. 

We need to be able to have conversations about culture without worrying if we will offend someone all the time. Not everyone comes from a diverse area with many nationalities and religions. I grew up in a small town and was pretty ignorant that some of the stuff I said and heard was a trope, and when I went to college found myself in some awkward social situations for saying something that I didn’t realize was offensive (in hindsight it’s obvious.)

This doesn’t change the fact that I still don’t know everything about different cultures, but I’m genuinely curious about them and also prefer not to insult them because I’m ignorant (or uninformed.) I’m the guy who might ask “where are you from” because I might be able to learn something. In this situation I would probably explain myself and ask what it is directly, why it may be an issue, and hope they understand. As far as a fair housing accusation, I think you just have to deal with it if it happens, and trust that you are doing nothing wrong and defend yourself.

 

[AAABatteries]

“Current owner has art that has symbols that are important to his religion and heritage.  Some may seem odd or out of place - just a heads up.  Now what do I need to do to get you in this house today?”