| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: 1 [2] |
MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Posted by NinaLemon
Posted by colette
But see now (i'm not arguing, just a devil's advocate POV) how does the "it's just a symbol" idea stand up if the Gap decided to print Swastikas on their apparel. The ubiquitous symbol is an icon for billions of people worldwide, and predates Christianity. But will it ever again be considered "just a design" now or in the future??
It's a purely rhetorical question of course, but I would never tell someone with a swastika on their shirt "hey, cool shirt."
If the FIL is offended by the shirt, it's not the SYMBOL, it's what it represents.
I actually think this is a good comparison. Just this morning there was a story on the news about 3 teens being arrested for spray painting swastikas on residential fences. The families were not Jewish or Black; the police determined after arresting the kids that it was not a racial or antisemitic attack. I was blown away that they didn't know what the symbol meant in recent history, they knew it was "tough" but not why.
I can understand your FIL being upset and think anyone calling a Vet's feelings about the war(or the meaning of symbols of that time) "ridiculous" is pretty sad. My uncle was in WWII and still cannot talk about it - we are talking 65 years later and the wounds are still to painful to talk about.
I was actually saddened at Memorial Day parade we went to this year because the girl scout troops were wearing tie-dye shirts. I like tie-dyes myself but I think they are inappropriate in a Memorial Day Parade, context is everything.
I love tie dye as well. I'm surprised it was used to memorial day attire. To me tie dye is very hippie.
Have you noticed that tie dye is in now?? It's in all the stores. I'm wondering if it was used more because of a sales marketing thing rather than to be a political statement?
|
Posted 6/24/10 11:59 AM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
METLove2008
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/08 541 total posts
Name:
Ellie
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Posted by NinaLemon
Posted by colette
But see now (i'm not arguing, just a devil's advocate POV) how does the "it's just a symbol" idea stand up if the Gap decided to print Swastikas on their apparel. The ubiquitous symbol is an icon for billions of people worldwide, and predates Christianity. But will it ever again be considered "just a design" now or in the future??
It's a purely rhetorical question of course, but I would never tell someone with a swastika on their shirt "hey, cool shirt."
If the FIL is offended by the shirt, it's not the SYMBOL, it's what it represents.
I actually think this is a good comparison. Just this morning there was a story on the news about 3 teens being arrested for spray painting swastikas on residential fences. The families were not Jewish or Black; the police determined after arresting the kids that it was not a racial or antisemitic attack. I was blown away that they didn't know what the symbol meant in recent history, they knew it was "tough" but not why.
I can understand your FIL being upset and think anyone calling a Vet's feelings about the war(or the meaning of symbols of that time) "ridiculous" is pretty sad. My uncle was in WWII and still cannot talk about it - we are talking 65 years later and the wounds are still to painful to talk about.
I was actually saddened at Memorial Day parade we went to this year because the girl scout troops were wearing tie-dye shirts. I like tie-dyes myself but I think they are inappropriate in a Memorial Day Parade, context is everything.
ITA with this! I think FIL has a right to feel that way and it isn't ridiculous at all. That's how he feels and I would make every effort to make sure I am not insensitive to a Vet's feelings.
It's not like the peace sign is so insanely cute that I'd have to dress my kids in it.
Message edited 6/24/2010 12:02:10 PM.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 12:01 PM |
| |
|
nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
I don't think they are disrepectful at all but not being a Vietnam vet, I'm sure I don't see it the same way.
To me peace symbols are an anti-war. That's not to say anti-veteran of war, nor against those who participated in the war but for war itself. I would think anyone who has seen first-hand the devastation war would be for a peace.
I don't fault them for being patriotic & doing their duty for their country. In the same way that I despise our forces having to be in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, I understand the necessity. I don't support the war, but I do support the troops.
I feel like war should be the last resort & for me, the peace symbol evokes that concept.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 12:04 PM |
| |
|
NinaLemon
It's a boy!!!
Member since 10/07 6453 total posts
Name:
Jeannine
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Posted by MrsKS
I love tie dye as well. I'm surprised it was used to memorial day attire. To me tie dye is very hippie.
Have you noticed that tie dye is in now?? It's in all the stores. I'm wondering if it was used more because of a sales marketing thing rather than to be a political statement?
Oh, I'm sure it wasn't a political statement. I didn't think the girls were protesting, I was just disappointed that neither the girls nor the troop leaders understood the connection between tie-dyes and the Vietnam War. I think it was an inappropriate choice in a parade made to honor our veterans. I would think a parade (and especially a Memorial Day Parade) would be the type of event that they should be wearing the Girl Scout Uniform.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 12:08 PM |
| |
|
maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
I think its ridiculous that you had to return the shirt...but I guess if they flipped out that badly i would have done the same thing...
Peace signs have been everywhere for years and years...and while i'm not a vet, I just don't get the "flipping out" part and the anger towards something that others obviously don't see as disrespectful.
everyone is entitled to their opinions, but this just seems so bizarre to me. It's a PEACE sign...
Johnny and Ryan have had shirts with the peace sign on it, I have never thought twice about it. I guess your FIL has just experienced different things that we can't understand. It just stinks you had to return the shirt.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 12:36 PM |
| |
|
MrsKS
Thank You St. Gerard.....
Member since 12/09 8306 total posts
Name:
Kerri
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Posted by NinaLemon
Posted by MrsKS
I love tie dye as well. I'm surprised it was used to memorial day attire. To me tie dye is very hippie.
Have you noticed that tie dye is in now?? It's in all the stores. I'm wondering if it was used more because of a sales marketing thing rather than to be a political statement?
Oh, I'm sure it wasn't a political statement. I didn't think the girls were protesting, I was just disappointed that neither the girls nor the troop leaders understood the connection between tie-dyes and the Vietnam War. I think it was an inappropriate choice in a parade made to honor our veterans. I would think a parade (and especially a Memorial Day Parade) would be the type of event that they should be wearing the Girl Scout Uniform.
I do agree.
But then... I'm just thinking further... couldn't the vet's say the same about the peace sign?
I totally agree with you though... and I also think the peace sign seams to be linked more to peace and less with the war so I'm more OK with a peace sign on memorial day than tie dye... and now because of this i'm starting to feel like my thoughts are somewhat hyprocrital.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 1:17 PM |
| |
|
JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
OP, my father is also a Vietnam vet, and he feels similarly to your FIL. When I was a teenager and started wearing peace signs on my clothes, he had a lot to say about it...
At this point in time, I think the signs have gone back to their original meaning and are simply worn as a symbol of peace. But I know that in the past, they were associated with anti-military movements, and there are bound to be some unpleasant associations by those who lived through it. I wouldn't say it was ridiculous that he was upset.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 1:26 PM |
| |
|
itkocak
Member since 7/07 7639 total posts
Name:
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Message edited 11/27/2011 5:06:34 PM.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 2:19 PM |
| |
|
browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
it's interesting to see that other people have the same experiences with their family members!
regarding having my kids wear "whatever i want"--yes, i will always dress them however i want. however, if something so upsets my DH and his father, i won't disrespect their feelings. if something is that important to them, whether i agree or not, there are many other things the kids could wear. it's just a shirt. DH knows my sister meant nothing by buying it and that she didn't know he felt that way, and, just as i would expect him to do the same if i was upset over something, i returned it. he has many more shirts he can wear without upsetting his grandfather!
i will never have a discussion with FIL about this because it's really not my business. i'm sure he went through a lot in the war, and i don't deny him any of his feelings. i can't even imagine what he saw and he is entitled to feel what he feels.
i just didn't understand because i've never heard that before. i can never understand because i wasn't even alive then. i had never experienced another person upset by it. it's really a big deal to him--he sees it as very disrespectful, especially on memorial day, and i respect his feelings.
it's just a shame that something that meant so much to so many brave men and women isn't recognized anymore. if i knew vets felt that way (even if it's just some of them) i would NEVER disrespect them, or their feelings. i never even thought about tie-dye being tied to the hippie movement of the time. makes sense though.
i support our troops, regardless of the era, 100%. now that i know it upsets even one vet, i won't allow my kids to wear things with peace signs.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 2:20 PM |
| |
|
Mrs213
????????
Member since 2/09 18986 total posts
Name:
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
Wow I'm shocked they reacted that way. I never would have thought a peace sign would be offensive...
|
| Posted 6/24/10 7:45 PM |
| |
|
Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
|
Re: peace signs--how do you feel about them? are they disrespectful to vietnam vets?
My dad is a Korea vet and did contract work with the government in Vietnam during the conflict, but I have never heard him upset about the peace sign. But he didn't actually fight in vietnam, so that may give him a different POV. I used to make peace signs on every notebook I owned and he never commented, but he may not have noticed.
I'm going to ask him though. His whole social life revolves around the American Legion, so maybe I'll ask him to bring it up with them.
Posted by imthekevinofcindyandkevin
well since a lot of peace sign waving hippies were spitting at and shouting baby killer to a lot a vietnam vets it doesn't surprise me that your fil has a negative association to it.
this I never understood. a former coworker had shrapnel in his back from vietnam and he said when he was carried off the plane on a stretcher, b/c he couldn't walk, this happened to him.
|
| Posted 6/24/10 8:22 PM |
| |
|
| Pages: 1 [2] |
