Swastika tattoos and waterpark

[Anonymous]

I took my kids to a large VA waterpark yesterday and noticed a man with swastika tattoos on his upper body and on his shaved head.
I was shocked at his brazenness and I admit, totally thought about reporting him to the waterpark employees but didn't.
He was 100% minding his own business. I know I live in a bubble but seeing the tattoos made me really sad.
What would you have done, DCUM?

Jeff, my apologies if this belongs in the political discussion - feel free to move it.

[Anonymous]

I would have ignored him. What else could you do? Confront him?

[Anonymous]

I would have done nothing. He wasn't passing out literature. People, even hateful people, have a right to function in society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have done nothing. He wasn't passing out literature. People, even hateful people, have a right to function in society.

OP here. Yeah, I know

[Anonymous]

Yikes. I think waterparks around me have rules about offensive tattoos, which also includes naked women and curse words. I probably wouldn't have done anything, but I don't think someone would be out of line to go to customer service and politely ask if there are any rules about offensive tattoos/clothing. I think it would be reasonable for the park to ask people to cover offensive tattoos, whether with clothing, cover-up, etc.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean what would I have done? I think it's disgusting and deplorable, but I wouldn't have done anything. If my kids asked about it, I would have told them that it's a symbol of hate, and that he is an ignorant man.
This is America. There is freedom of speech and he was expressing his beliefs. Hopefully most will alienate him for those beliefs.
If he was white, I'd assume he'd been in prison and gotten them as a mark for his prison gang to help protect him. Either way, not someone I'd care to associate with.

[Anonymous]

Wow, I'm amazed that guy even went to a waterpark. Any waterpark in NOVA would have had tons of people of color. Surprised he was willing to step in the same body of water with "those people" for fear of contamination.

I guess just make it a teachable moment, if you were with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Smiled at him with my mixed race kids and moved on with my day. First, he wasn't bothering you, and America is all about freedom. Second, you don't know his story in any way or his current beliefs. Third, even assuming the worst, hate is part of the world - seeing a tattoo is nothing.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing you can do, unfortunately. I remember the first time I saw a guy like that in public - it was at a restaurant and he was wearing a t-shirt of a known white supremacist/neo-Nazi org. Shaved head and knuckle tats and the woman he was with was wearing Duggar-ish clothes and had that long, frizzy/permed hair. It's just gross, like you need to take a shower after you see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Smiled at him with my mixed race kids and moved on with my day. First, he wasn't bothering you, and America is all about freedom. Second, you don't know his story in any way or his current beliefs. Third, even assuming the worst, hate is part of the world - seeing a tattoo is nothing.

Excellent points.

OP: the tattoos are likely the result of being in a prison gang. While there is no excuse for such tattoos, please be aware that joining these gangs is often the only means of survive in prison.

Yes - he should be saving up his money to pay for tattoo removal procedures, but that is not easy to do when no one will hire you as a ex-convict.

[Anonymous]

Report him for what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smiled at him with my mixed race kids and moved on with my day. First, he wasn't bothering you, and America is all about freedom. Second, you don't know his story in any way or his current beliefs. Third, even assuming the worst, hate is part of the world - seeing a tattoo is nothing.

Excellent points.

OP: the tattoos are likely the result of being in a prison gang. While there is no excuse for such tattoos, please be aware that joining these gangs is often the only means of survive in prison.

Yes - he should be saving up his money to pay for tattoo removal procedures, but that is not easy to do when no one will hire you as a ex-convict.

There are tattoo artists that will cover-up those kinds of tattoos for free if the tattooed person has changed their views.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/sometimes-people-change-maryland-shop-covers-racist-tattoos-for-free/2017/02/21/8fec193e-f30a-11e6-8366-98329d93f4ad_story.html?utm_term=.3434d66545b8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Report him for what?

-for expressing a viewpoint she finds repulsive.

[Anonymous]

OP, I fully understand your feelings and that would have made me feel sad, as well.

I get the free speech angle, but I am also very thankful that there are people like you around who are still jolted by these kinds of expressions. You may be "in a bubble", but you have a good heart, and to me, that's what matters most in life. Thank you for being you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Smiled at him with my mixed race kids and moved on with my day. First, he wasn't bothering you, and America is all about freedom. Second, you don't know his story in any way or his current beliefs. Third, even assuming the worst, hate is part of the world - seeing a tattoo is nothing.

Excellent points.

OP: the tattoos are likely the result of being in a prison gang. While there is no excuse for such tattoos, please be aware that joining these gangs is often the only means of survive in prison.

Yes - he should be saving up his money to pay for tattoo removal procedures, but that is not easy to do when no one will hire you as a ex-convict.

Tattoo removal is expensive, but growing hair and putting on a shirt are cheaper.