Suspended because Omote Manji was perceived wrong

Damascus · 02-04-2009, 02:42 AM

The Omote Manji, 卍, is a Buddhist symbol for infinite mercy.

I recently got into an online fight because some guy thought Buddhists were Nazis because of this symbol.

I e-mailed my friend this symbol, in hopes of knowing that I would not be the only person on the internet to know what this is (or at least not a Swastika).
Another friend wanted a copy of this e-mail, so I forwarded it to him. I told him not to forward the e-mail to the school system, since it's kinda obvious there's going to be a certain person who thinks it's a Swastika.

He forwards the e-mail to my school's e-mail system.
I get called down for this.
The administrators got notified by some student. The administrators get all racist (I wasn't born here, so whenever I asked, "what?", they would say, "I don't think he speaks English..." and laugh) and then even though my argument is perfectly reasonable (intentions and etc.), the school rules state that it's how the person "perceives" the message that counts, not the intention. So, I got suspended.

Sorry for making this so blog-like, but I need to let off some steam.
There has to be someone else on the internet who recognizes the differences between a religious symbol and the Nazi's symbol...

Backstaber · 02-04-2009, 02:50 AM

That sucks.

the_cake · 02-04-2009, 03:12 AM

I'll bet you could get somewhere with a lawsuit about this. Depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

Innoc · 02-04-2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_cake

I'll bet you could get somewhere with a lawsuit about this. Depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

Absolutely. I would definitely get an attorney on this if you're being honest about your position.

Backstaber · 02-04-2009, 03:19 AM

That costs money, likely not worth it. Go to the media instead!

Demasu · 02-04-2009, 03:20 AM

That really sucks. You could probably sue, but it'd be a stupid idea unless you have a really long suspension. The Nazi one is rotated 45 degrees clockwise(or counter-clockwise it turns out), so I know what you're talking about. But the costs from a lawsuit would probably outweigh the benefits from it.

uBeR · 02-04-2009, 03:21 AM

What state do you live in? It's really unfortunate, if you're describing things accurately. What was the context of the e-mails you sent? Could your perhaps reproduce it here?

Innoc · 02-04-2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demasu

That really sucks. You could probably sue, but it'd be a stupid idea unless you have a really long suspension. The Nazi one is rotated 45 degrees clockwise(or counter-clockwise it turns out), so I know what you're talking about. But the costs from a lawsuit would probably outweigh the benefits from it.

I suspect there's plenty of civil rights oriented attorneys that would take this either pro bono or on a contingency basis.

SizeableSSonic · 02-04-2009, 03:36 AM

What's the name of your school? If you are indeed being honest about what happened (not try to discredit you or anything, just saying there is two sides to every story) then if you post this in enough places and provide contact info for your school, people will probably contact them via email etc. and give them shit.

**Crazycarl** · 02-04-2009, 03:42 AM

Getting in trouble in school for stupid shit is a rite of passage; it makes you appreciate the real world more when you get out.

Ihmhi · 02-04-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innoc

I suspect there's plenty of civil rights oriented attorneys that would take this either pro bono or on a contingency basis.

Like the ACLU for one.

BinaryLife · 02-04-2009, 08:04 AM

By their insight, you could send an e-mail saying "I wish you all peace and love." And so long as one person who doesn't understand takes it the wrong way you can get suspended.

That symbol was not invented by the Nazis, any intelligent person would know that. Native Americans even used variations of that symbol. It is terrible that as a society we are willing to let a symbol of peace and prosperity be corrupted by a hateful group of people. We all stand stronger and have the right and the ability to say that we support this symbol as what it rightfully stands for. Also, because it's relevant:

"My Little Swastika

the chinese had it for 20,000 years
the nazis took it and made it spell tears
still has power to hurt a little bit
but now I'm decorating my house with it

my little swastika
my little swastika
you can do what you want
but I'm taking it back
it's not yours anymore
it's mine now

well, it stands for john, paul, george, & ringo
stands for groucho, harpo, zeppo, & chico
looks like four sevens which is 28
which is half of joe dimaggio's hitting streak

(chorus)

well, I got me a white one to give to my bride
I got me a black one that my uncle dyed
green means football, that's the notre dame sign
I got me a pink one: gay pride

(chorus)

so if you see me wearing a swastika tonight
don't be angry, don't start a fight
raise your voices up above
oooooh! swastika love

(chorus)"

Bridget · 02-04-2009, 04:01 PM

Unfortunately, There are a lot of pricks out there who plaster the symbol everywhere to grab attention or generate conflict and then use the 'It's a peaceful symbol!' excuse at the last minute to get out of punishment.

So, yeah, I can understand their concern. Kinda...

CatzEyes93 · 02-04-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bridget

Unfortunately, There are a lot of pricks out there who plaster the symbol everywhere to grab attention or generate conflict and then use the 'It's a peaceful symbol!' excuse at the last minute to get out of punishment.

So, yeah, I can understand their concern. Kinda...

I agree. To many people like to push the envelope just to cause a ruckus, knowing they will get their hand slapped... and then call their lawyer the moment they DO get their hand slapped.

The schools are responsible for squashing all instances that cause a ruckus in the school. Regardless if it is founded or not.

My personal opinion is to stop looking for trouble. You KNOW that symbol is extreamly hurtful to millions. Why are you pushing for it?

Demasu · 02-04-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatzEyes93

I agree. To many people like to push the envelope just to cause a ruckus, knowing they will get their hand slapped... and then call their lawyer the moment they DO get their hand slapped.

The schools are responsible for squashing all instances that cause a ruckus in the school. Regardless if it is founded or not.

My personal opinion is to stop looking for trouble. You KNOW that symbol is extreamly hurtful to millions. Why are you pushing for it?

He wasn't trying to push it at school. He specifically says that he told his friend not to forward it to the school system, which to me suggests he didn't want any conflict with the school. However, his friend was stupid, and he got in trouble for it. Damascus wasn't in the wrong here, his friend and the school are. From what I can tell, Damascus had no malicious intent, and actively tried to avoid conflict, yet the school system was too stupid to realize that it wasn't him who did anything towards the school, so he shouldn't get in trouble for it. A warning, yeah maybe, but suspension is a little far for this. So really, he was wrongfully suspended.

Besides which, if he was really using the symbol he showed(a mirrored swastika), then that one can't really be twisted to the Nazi one, which is a 45 degree angle from a non-mirrored one. So it's pretty distinctly different from the Nazi swastika in my opinion. But that's beside the point, the point is he actively tried to stay out of trouble, and due to either a brain fart, or something else, from his friend, got in trouble.

Lost · 02-04-2009, 07:08 PM

Say you're a native American, they used that all the time, was even the symbol for the 45th U.S. infantry before the Nazi's fucked it up.

But yeah, schools are full of ignorant people, and those ignorant people are the ones teaching our kids. And they wonder why we get upset at their dumbassedness.

Mooga · 02-05-2009, 03:13 AM

How old are you Damascus?
What grade are you in?
What country are you in?

zSilver_Fox · 02-05-2009, 03:46 AM

I'm part Jewish and I see no problem, Mooga?

Christ, I'm ashamed of my blood sometimes

. All that hemoglobin, just rushing around.

Backstaber · 02-05-2009, 03:50 AM

Imagine if some terrorist group or country went and used the cross as its symbol on a flag or whatever and went and killed millions or committed mass genocide. Would we still use the cross as the Christian symbol?

Just throwing that out there as I though about it.

Anthraxium[WU] · 02-05-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backstaber

Imagine if some terrorist group or country went and used the cross as its symbol on a flag or whatever and went and killed millions or committed mass genocide. Would we still use the cross as the Christian symbol?

Just throwing that out there as I though about it.

crusades

02-04-2009, 02:42 AM	#1
Damascus Comic Artist D&A Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Suspended because Omote Manji was perceived wrong The Omote Manji, 卍, is a Buddhist symbol for infinite mercy. I recently got into an online fight because some guy thought Buddhists were Nazis because of this symbol. I e-mailed my friend this symbol, in hopes of knowing that I would not be the only person on the internet to know what this is (or at least not a Swastika). Another friend wanted a copy of this e-mail, so I forwarded it to him. I told him not to forward the e-mail to the school system, since it's kinda obvious there's going to be a certain person who thinks it's a Swastika. He forwards the e-mail to my school's e-mail system. I get called down for this. The administrators got notified by some student. The administrators get all racist (I wasn't born here, so whenever I asked, "what?", they would say, "I don't think he speaks English..." and laugh) and then even though my argument is perfectly reasonable (intentions and etc.), the school rules state that it's how the person "perceives" the message that counts, not the intention. So, I got suspended. Sorry for making this so blog-like, but I need to let off some steam. There has to be someone else on the internet who recognizes the differences between a religious symbol and the Nazi's symbol...

02-04-2009, 03:20 AM	#6
Demasu Official FF Medic Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	That really sucks. You could probably sue, but it'd be a stupid idea unless you have a really long suspension. The Nazi one is rotated 45 degrees clockwise(or counter-clockwise it turns out), so I know what you're talking about. But the costs from a lawsuit would probably outweigh the benefits from it. __________________ Some ER Trauma Doctor: Which way did he point the gun? Was it towards the front of your face or the back of your face? ...and you wonder why I love doctors.

02-04-2009, 03:21 AM	#7
uBeR Not ****** Yet D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	What state do you live in? It's really unfortunate, if you're describing things accurately. What was the context of the e-mails you sent? Could your perhaps reproduce it here? __________________ OCCUPATION 101. *One would think a simple task would be, well, simple. Maybe not for simpletons.*

02-04-2009, 03:36 AM	#9
SizeableSSonic Joystick Junkie D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: I know where YOU live! Class/Position: Engineer or Sniper Gametype: CTF Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	What's the name of your school? If you are indeed being honest about what happened (not try to discredit you or anything, just saying there is two sides to every story) then if you post this in enough places and provide contact info for your school, people will probably contact them via email etc. and give them shit. __________________ I like chocolate milk. Last edited by SizeableSSonic; 02-04-2009 at 03:42 AM.

02-04-2009, 03:42 AM	#10
Crazycarl D&A Member Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 31 Times	Getting in trouble in school for stupid shit is a rite of passage; it makes you appreciate the real world more when you get out. __________________ Support FF:

02-04-2009, 02:50 AM	#2
Backstaber Custom User Title D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Class/Position: Scout Offence Gametype: Capture The Flag Affiliations: None Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	That sucks.

02-04-2009, 03:12 AM	#3
the_cake Beta Tester Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts Rated Helpful 144 Times	I'll bet you could get somewhere with a lawsuit about this. Depends on how much effort you want to put into it.

02-04-2009, 03:19 AM	#5
Backstaber Custom User Title D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Class/Position: Scout Offence Gametype: Capture The Flag Affiliations: None Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	That costs money, likely not worth it. Go to the media instead!

02-04-2009, 08:04 AM	#12
BinaryLife Posts: 1 bajillion D&A Member Wiki Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Gametype: CTF Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	By their insight, you could send an e-mail saying "I wish you all peace and love." And so long as one person who doesn't understand takes it the wrong way you can get suspended. That symbol was not invented by the Nazis, any intelligent person would know that. Native Americans even used variations of that symbol. It is terrible that as a society we are willing to let a symbol of peace and prosperity be corrupted by a hateful group of people. We all stand stronger and have the right and the ability to say that we support this symbol as what it rightfully stands for. Also, because it's relevant: "My Little Swastika the chinese had it for 20,000 years the nazis took it and made it spell tears still has power to hurt a little bit but now I'm decorating my house with it my little swastika my little swastika you can do what you want but I'm taking it back it's not yours anymore it's mine now well, it stands for john, paul, george, & ringo stands for groucho, harpo, zeppo, & chico looks like four sevens which is 28 which is half of joe dimaggio's hitting streak (chorus) well, I got me a white one to give to my bride I got me a black one that my uncle dyed green means football, that's the notre dame sign I got me a pink one: gay pride (chorus) so if you see me wearing a swastika tonight don't be angry, don't start a fight raise your voices up above oooooh! swastika love (chorus)"

02-04-2009, 04:01 PM	#13
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	Unfortunately, There are a lot of pricks out there who plaster the symbol everywhere to grab attention or generate conflict and then use the 'It's a peaceful symbol!' excuse at the last minute to get out of punishment. So, yeah, I can understand their concern. Kinda...

02-04-2009, 07:08 PM	#16
Lost Fear teh crowbar. Retired FF Staff Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oklahoma Gametype: CTF ftw, yeh Posts Rated Helpful 6 Times	Say you're a native American, they used that all the time, was even the symbol for the 45th U.S. infantry before the Nazi's fucked it up. But yeah, schools are full of ignorant people, and those ignorant people are the ones teaching our kids. And they wonder why we get upset at their dumbassedness. __________________ Do what you want cuz a pirate is free! You are a pirate!

02-05-2009, 03:13 AM	#17
Mooga Colorless FTW D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: A Small Box Affiliations: SRCDS.com Posts Rated Helpful 1 Times	How old are you Damascus? What grade are you in? What country are you in? __________________ ~ Mooga ...w00t? SRCDS.com \| Twitter

02-05-2009, 03:46 AM	#18
zSilver_Fox IRL Combat Medic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ethanol Land Class/Position: D Medic Gametype: Conca Jumping Affiliations: ^iv Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	I'm part Jewish and I see no problem, Mooga? Christ, I'm ashamed of my blood sometimes . All that hemoglobin, just rushing around. __________________ I have a nasopharyngeal and webcam... First infraction! Flaming!

02-05-2009, 03:50 AM	#19
Backstaber Custom User Title D&A Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Class/Position: Scout Offence Gametype: Capture The Flag Affiliations: None Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Imagine if some terrorist group or country went and used the cross as its symbol on a flag or whatever and went and killed millions or committed mass genocide. Would we still use the cross as the Christian symbol? Just throwing that out there as I though about it.

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