General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]MadameButterfly
(3,661 posts)and the reporting on this is more nuanced than the claims in DU posts.
He claims there is a culture in the military of using these images by people not associated with White Supremacy movements (including people of color). I see nothing in the "new reporting" that associates him as actually supporting Nazis.
Exactly when he learned about the association with Nazi symbols is unclear. Not necessarily the night he got the tattoo. The Nazi skull and crossbones is scarier than the typical jolly rogers symbol, but I can imagine a lot of people not making the distinction until alerted of the history. It's not like the swastika, which used to mean "good luck" but has been obliterated from common use since Hitler. I've known the problem with a swastica since I was a kid, am just learning to distinguish this particular skull and crossbones from others over this issue.
I don't agree with members of the military sporting this tatto; I just don't think I know yet what it means to the soldiers using it.
Also not clear is when he chose to cover up the tattoo. Which was the right thing to do.