To feel uncomfortable about the Nazi symbols on ds's shirt and arm? (Y11 shirt-signing day)

[GoodyGoodyGumdrops]

Y11s were signing each other's schools shirts today, the last day before Study Leave begins.

There's the expected complement of hearts and cocks-and-balls on ds's shirt. (Surprisingly little swearing.) Also many Stars of David - which I have no issue about, we're Jewish.

But I feel uncomfortable about the many swastikas and the number inked onto his left forearm.

Ds says that he wasn't picked out for the swastikas. Some boys were signing there name with one on everybody's shirt. TBH I don't know whether to believe him.

The swastikas are pure bad taste IMO. But the number on ds's forearm really bugs me.

I don't know what, if anything, to do about it.

Appalling

I would go balistic at the swastika. it's not at all accepted to use that symbol and they crossed the line. If you don't go to the school it normalises it, I would really be kicking up a fuss about it with the school.

Report it. That's awful and could be indicative of extremist views. Not acceptable.

Not cool. Take some photos and speak to the school.

It is indicative rather than could be, sorry.

That is worse that bad taste in my opinion. It's hate speech.

I'd be going into school. I'd also go armed with a print out or at least a bookmarked page on the internet about the bastardised Hindu symbol. If they use that as an excuse I'd love to hear them explain it.

I'm guessing the kids that did this meant no real harm and probably thought it was a 'clever joke', but I'd still let the school know.

They need to learn some things can never be turned into a joke.

I had this the other year, it seems they try and put as much offensive stuff on some shirts as they can, it's bloody awful, but I wasn't sure if it was meant to mean anything other than shock tactics.

Sorry you have been subjected this, teens are thought,was sometimes as well as stupid

Thoughtless sorry 💐

Oh and ds came out looking like Groucho Marx with a mono brow too, they had all penned their faces

The swatiska is a typical rebel teenagers showing off thing, but the number on the arm is beyond the pale.

When I first started secondary school I drew swastikas on my German book. I thought that was symbol for being German! It wasn't until I'd had a few history lessons that I realised what it meant. Surprisingly, the German teacher never mentioned it so I didn't see that I'd done anything wrong for months.

At 16 years old though, they know what they're doing. I'd go into the school to make them aware. I wouldn't go as far as to call it hate crime though - just a bad taste joke that is so cross the line it needs addressing.

I still have my old shirt, compete with swastikas, swear words the word SLAG written over my back and a helpful list of guys names complete with 'was ere'

The swastikas I could overlook as childish stupidness, the numbers on the arm is taking it too far.

The number on the arm is putrid behaviour

I'd be furious!
Both are hideous, in no way funny and imo writing numbers on a Jewish boy's arm is a hate crime. It can only be seen as mocking the concentration camp tattoos.
I would complain to the school for sure. I'd also be having a strong chat with your DS about the persecution of the Jews and the significance of allowing those boys to write on his arm. He needs to know his history and that he cannot allow people to do that to him regardless of it being a laugh or banter or whatever.

I'm appalled. I agree withPP saying it's a hate crime. Year 11 kids are old enough to know better than to do this. The numbers on his arm are beyond the pale - I feel quite tearful at the thought kids could treat it so lightly or think it a joke. If I was the parent of one of these kids I'd want to know about it and think very hard about how I'd failed

Needs to be raised at school, however I would imagine to many kids the Second World War and Holocaust is just history.

When we were growing up (I'm in my forties) we knew people that had fought and suffered. I imagine as a Jewish person you had family members or knew people affected by it. It seems closer to us.

I think we have a duty to ensure the lessons aren't forgot.

I think you should ask to have this thread pulled as this is the sort of thing the Daily m loves.

Unfortunately I've seen swastikas drawn on peoples tops during events such as freshers week at uni. These people are 18+

There's always someone who takes it too far with the offensive drawings on other peoples tops

Agree, the odd swastika is unfortunately not unexpected dickish teenage 'rebellion'. But this sounds like it had very definitely crossed a line.

how unbelievable

That's very not good.

I would be furious, absolutely not acceptable. Take photos and contact the school in the morning.
Horrible.

The school has failed to teach their students that there are some things which cannot be used 'ironically' or as a riské 'joke'.

OP, I am so sorry you are having to deal with this. Please report it to the school.
Personally, if I did not see action taken, I'd escalate it further.

tick well obviously not, as many other posters have said the same.