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NYC Store Slammed for Selling Swastika Earrings

Earrings are a Buddhist symbol, not a Nazi one, store's owner says

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2012 1:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A Brooklyn jewelry store found itself under attack from city lawmakers for selling earrings in the shape of an ancient Buddhist symbol now much better known for its association with the Nazis. The swastika earrings on sale at the Bejeweled store represent "the most hateful symbol in our culture, and an insult to any civilized person," Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer charged.

The store's manager disagreed. "It's not a Nazi symbol," she told Fox. "I don't know what's the problem. My earrings are coming from India as a Buddhist symbol." The swastikas on the earrings are angled like Buddhist ones, not Nazi ones, but that didn't dampen lawmakers' outrage, Gothamist notes. After a city councilman paid a visit, the store's owner agreed to stop selling the earrings, reports the New York Daily News.

These earrings show a sign of prosperity in Tibetan Buddhism, the store's manager insisted.
These earrings show a sign of prosperity in Tibetan Buddhism, the store's manager insisted.   (YouTube)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 44 comments
HarryBeaver
Jan 13, 2012 6:58 AM CST
Sure, pick on the Buddhists just because they are unlikely to go all fatwa on your ass.
Eat_Eateator
Jan 12, 2012 11:51 AM CST
I'm sure the ADA has already informed the president.
mtownfred
Jan 12, 2012 9:36 AM CST
Actually, if you research "swastika" on Google you'll see that it dates as far back as 4000 BC.  As to the assertion that a counter clockwise design is Hindu, etc. and a clockwise design is from the German Nazi's, that is not correct.  You'll see if you research the symbol that both have been used in ancient times.  I'm sure in the future the expression "Hope & Change" will be associated with a derogatory meaning since it obviously has become an expression of Hopelessness and only Change in our pockets.
 

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