BIO

I am from Orlando, Florida, and attending Florida State University to pursue Public Health. I am on the Pre-Health Track because I intend to go to medical school after my undergraduate degree. I am interested in a wide variety of research. My main goal is to understand and learn how proper research is conducted so I can later conduct my own research. When I attempt my own research, I want to lean more towards science and work in a lab.

Reading Swastika: Understanding Symbolic Contestations and Other Symbols Perceived to Signify Hatred

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the swastika and other antisemitic symbols, such as the burning cross and SS bolt, and how people react to them. The main focus of the study is the swastika and how the meaning of this symbol has expanded and changed. The swastika used to be a good symbol because it used to be perceived as good fortune. Even today, it is still used as a good symbol in many Asian countries. In our study, each hate symbol was analyzed to see if people's reaction to the symbols was based on a cultural or religious standpoint. The Swastika had the most negative reaction because it was related to the Nazis. The Burning cross was mostly used as a tactic to spread awareness and express people's political views so it was not much of a threat symbol. The SS bolt is used as a symbol of white supremacy. From this, we found it was based on a cultural aspect. As this study continues, we will gather an understanding of the relations of hate symbols and cultural backgrounds. The cultural view of a person deeply affects how a symbol is portrayed.

Keywords: Swastika, Burning Cross, SS Bolt, Hatred, Iconography