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[Update. It appears the original submission was skewing the facts. From the What You Should Know about EEOC and Shelton D. v. U.S. Postal Service (Gadsden Flag case) on the EEOC (US Equal Employment Opportunity Commision) web site:
What You Should Know about EEOC and Shelton D. v. U.S. Postal Service (Gadsden Flag case)
- This decision addressed only the procedural issue of whether the Complainant's allegations of discrimination should be dismissed or investigated. This decision was not on the merits, did not determine that the Gadsden Flag was racist or discriminatory, and did not ban it.
- Given the procedural nature of this appeal and the fact that no investigative record or evidence had been developed yet, it would have been premature and inappropriate for EEOC to determine, one way or the other, the merits of the U.S. Postal Service's argument that the Gadsden Flag and its slogan do not have any racial connotations whatsoever.
- EEOC's decision simply ordered the agency - the U.S. Postal Service - to investigate the allegations. EEOC's decision made no factual or legal determination on whether discrimination actually occurred.
The original story follows. --martyb]
Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has determined in a preliminary ruling that wearing clothing featuring the Gadsden Flag constitutes legally actionable racial harassment in the workplace. In short, wearing the Gadsden flag while at work can earn you the title of "racist", earn you harassment charges, and cost you your job. The ideological witch hunt started back in 2014 when a black employee at a privately owned company filed a complaint with the EEOC when he saw a co-worker wearing a hat featuring the Gadsden flag and the words "Don't tread on me." The EEOC has decided to side with the over-sensitive employee, despite already admitting that the flag originated in a non-racial context and has been adopted by multiple non-racial political groups, countless companies and more, since it was created.
The ruling is a preliminary ruling and has not yet been made "official" but the preliminary ruling says that you can be charged with "racial harassment." They have not indicated when an "official" ruling will be made and it is ongoing.
Source: American Military News
Better Source: Washington Post
Facts: EEOC
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 08 2016, @11:12PM
Being Buddhist, I'm always a bit dismayed at having to explain that no, this swastika really doesn't have anything to do with the Land of the Hummel Dolls, and that my religious symbols should have to pass muster with someone else.
(Score: 2) by Capt. Obvious on Tuesday August 09 2016, @08:44AM
Isn't that version mirrored?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 09 2016, @09:51AM
Depends on where you go. I've seen several Korean ones that aren't.
This has caused some misunderstandings with people that are only familiar with WWII.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 09 2016, @11:22AM
Except it does. You may not like the historical uses to which it has been put, but that doesn't erase those uses from history, nor from the public's consciousness or understanding.
You may as well argue that there is only one meaning to the term "hacking", and has nothing to do with illegal activity.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 09 2016, @12:19PM
Except it doesn't.
It is beyond ignorant to suppose every swastika is related to WWII, especially when you are looking at something that pre-dates it by a few thousand years.
Unless you buy into the hypothesis that the Nazis developed time-travel.
I mean you don't suppose every German you meet is a Nazi sympathizer do you you?
Get a sense of history.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday August 09 2016, @02:33PM
In Amerika, history began in 1492. Nothing can possibly predate the discovery of Amerika, and even if it did, it would be irrelevant. In fact, I'm not even sure why we recognize European, Asian, and African nations. Unless of course, we did a regime change, and we like the puppets we left behind. It's all about Amerika. /sarcasm
More seriously, I once held the opinion that the swastika was a uniquely German invention. Then I stumbled over a couple of articles that dealt with ancient symbology. The information didn't really stick, except for the idea that the Nazi's stole the swastika. Which is fitting - they stole most everything else from someone!! Money, art, dental fillings, whatever.
(Score: 2) by arulatas on Tuesday August 09 2016, @02:45PM
Then I guess all crosses must be banned as they were used in the south to intimidate in a racial manner. Is this correct?
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