Adolf Hitler...
A truly hated and despised man.
A historical figure.
A fashion statement....
Wait, what the hell?
Yeah. Hitler is now a fashion statement in Bangkok. Hitler t-shirts. Hitler logos. Hitler Ronald McDonald. Thailand didn't go through Adolf Hitler's WW2. They saw Japan's war instead, so cultural sensitivity is, for a very good reason, lacking. But does this excuse Thailand's youths from turning such a hated man into an icon?
No, but we cannot pressure Thailand into passing a law restricting or outlawing such speech. Such action and sanctions goes against the values of free expression so important to free democracy. One can argue they should learn the value of self censorship, but that can turn into a hive mind movement toward state censorship, which can lead to poor trade and ultimately, war. This is a bad situation that can only turn worse with any kind of authoritative intervention. But, there are other tools available to society to change the behaviour or Bangkok's youth.
We have become more aware of the concepts of globalization in the last hundred years and cross cultural communication is replacing what diplomacy used to be. Bangkok's youth is a perfect example of a problem that has a solution rooted in education, speech a persuasion. The youth may not understand why Hitler is so offensive to the rest of the world, but that does not mean they are unable. If they are unwilling, then perhaps they will see a pragmatic case for reconsidering the fashion statements they make, as job internationally are closed on them due to past behaviour involving their love affair with the Austrian.
Or perhaps we should take a moment and consider all the sarcastic jokes we have made about Hitler and look deeper into the fashion statement made in Bangkok and take into consideration Thailand's humor. Maybe there is a joke here that is going over our heads.
In either case, the best solution is cultural exchanges. Pack your bags. Prepare yourself for a big insult. You are being called for duty.
- Servus
A truly hated and despised man.
A historical figure.
A fashion statement....
Wait, what the hell?
Yeah. Hitler is now a fashion statement in Bangkok. Hitler t-shirts. Hitler logos. Hitler Ronald McDonald. Thailand didn't go through Adolf Hitler's WW2. They saw Japan's war instead, so cultural sensitivity is, for a very good reason, lacking. But does this excuse Thailand's youths from turning such a hated man into an icon?
No, but we cannot pressure Thailand into passing a law restricting or outlawing such speech. Such action and sanctions goes against the values of free expression so important to free democracy. One can argue they should learn the value of self censorship, but that can turn into a hive mind movement toward state censorship, which can lead to poor trade and ultimately, war. This is a bad situation that can only turn worse with any kind of authoritative intervention. But, there are other tools available to society to change the behaviour or Bangkok's youth.
We have become more aware of the concepts of globalization in the last hundred years and cross cultural communication is replacing what diplomacy used to be. Bangkok's youth is a perfect example of a problem that has a solution rooted in education, speech a persuasion. The youth may not understand why Hitler is so offensive to the rest of the world, but that does not mean they are unable. If they are unwilling, then perhaps they will see a pragmatic case for reconsidering the fashion statements they make, as job internationally are closed on them due to past behaviour involving their love affair with the Austrian.
Or perhaps we should take a moment and consider all the sarcastic jokes we have made about Hitler and look deeper into the fashion statement made in Bangkok and take into consideration Thailand's humor. Maybe there is a joke here that is going over our heads.
In either case, the best solution is cultural exchanges. Pack your bags. Prepare yourself for a big insult. You are being called for duty.
- Servus
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