Think of the following: religion- positive- negative associations pop culture new age racism. Will any of these be found offensive? Can you think of any symbols that have negative associations/connotations? Why? What are its origins?
What symbol was embroidered in a Zara handbag. In what way it entails different cultural interpretations of it. In what way it was interpreted in the west. In what way it is interpreted in the east.
MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish fashion chain Zara has withdrawn a handbag from its stores after a customer in Britain complained swastikas were embroidered on it.
Zara, owned by the world's second largest fashion retailer Inditex, said it did not know the 39 pound ($78) handbag had green swastikas on its corners.The bags were made by a supplier in India and inspired by commonly used Hindu symbols, which include the swastika. The original design approved by Zara did not have swastikas on it, Inditex said.
"After the return of one bag we decided to withdraw the whole range," said a spokesman for Inditex, which has more than 3,330 stores in 66 countries.
Zara pulled the bags after 19-year-old Rachel Hatton told Britain's Daily Mail she asked for a refund when she spotted swastikas on her bag. "The shop assistants were quite shocked as well to find out this symbol was on there," she told BBC radio.
A British anti-fascism group said the bags were an attempt to legitimize fascism and the Daily Star tabloid newspaper ran a picture of Adolf Hitler next to its story headlined, "Fury over Nazi Fashion Bags."
The swastika is an ancient religious symbol for Hindus and Buddhists, and has represented the sun, strength and good luck to many groups around the world. Since its adoption by the Nazi Party in 1920, people in the West have associated the swastika with Nazi dictator Hitler.
Define the following terms: embroidered:............................................................................................... withdraw:.................................................................................................... range: ....................................................................................................... pull:.......................................................................................................... fashion retailer: .............................................................................................
Comments to the issue from www.dailymail.co.uk. Where do you think these people are writing from?
What aspects of this issue are they representing? Which one do you agree with? Which ones do you disagree completely with?
Listen to the spoken article from www.wikipedia.org and decide if the statements about the swastika are TRUE or FALSE. 0:00-02:46 1. The Hindu swastika features a dot in each of its quadrants. 2. The swastika was never used by the Jews. 3. Before WW II, it was a popular good luck charm. 4. Before the Nazis, it was used by the German Fascist party. 5. It is still used by Neo Nazis. 6. Westeners refuse to acknowledge its different historic meanings.
Discuss: What other symbols do you know whose meaning has changed over the years? Can you cite examples?
Writing: Imagine you are the PR person for Inditex. After this situation, you need to write a press release (250 words) expressing Zara's understanding of how this could have hurt the feelings of many on such a sensitive issue and explaining how the symbol came from an Indian manufacturer that views it as meaning something completely different (see article).