What does it feel like to be judged by what one’s religion is, or going to a school where there are hateful symbols in bathrooms, and feel unsafe because of your beliefs? There have been some incidents at IMS including some symbols that symbolize hate, and Mercer Island students and teachers are taking actions to prevent this from escalating and helping spread awareness of what is happening.
The swastika is most known for being the feared symbol of Adolf Hitler, but did you know that it wasn’t always bad? In 1925, Coca-cola used the swastika as a sales slogan and the Girls’ Club of America called their magazine The Swastika and handed out swastika tokens as prizes to children who sold copies of the magazine.
The swastika was originally used 6000 years ago where it was written in the Sanskrit language meaning ‘well-being’. Scholars agree that the symbol originated in India and then was adopted by travelers who brought it to other places. Archaeologists have found artifacts with patterns resembling a swastika in multiple countries. Pots from Ancient Greece and even a dress of a Slav princess had golden swastikas woven into the fabric.
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20 1889 in Austria-Hungary. He served in the German Army in WW1, receiving the Iron cross which was a medal that was given to soldiers who showed bravery in the face of the enemy.
In 1919, he joined the German Workers’ Party (which later turned into the Nazi Party) and he was appointed leader in 1921. He was sent to prison for rebelling against the current government at the time. Then, after his release, he gained support by attacking the Treaty of Versailles and promoting pro-Germanism, antisemitism (hate directed at Jewish people). By November 1932, the Nazi Party held the most seats in the Reichstag (the German government). Then, people appointed Hitler as chancellor on January 30 1933. At this point, he started the process of transforming Germany into Nazi Germany.
Hitler soon adopted the swastika and made it a symbol that created fear and anxiety in the people who saw the red, white, and black symbol on Nazi uniforms and flags. He started sending out antisemitism/racist police to kill people of color, of Jewish descent, people of the LGBTQ+ community, and Jehovah’s witnesses just to name a few. In doing so he killed 12 million people, which is about the same as the population of Moscow in Russia (a lot). He targeted these people and he wanted to annihilate all of them worldwide. He later took his life on April 30, 1945 after having lost WWII
No Place For Hate is an organization and student lead club at the high school that is helping our school district and community. This organization is not just centered on antisemitism but on all bias in particular. No Place For Hate is holding an after school lesson for students who sign up where they will learn how to stand up for themselves and others. We will keep on doing our best and standing proud and strong.
