Even knowing the origins, it didnt remotely symbolize to him hatred, but rather the deeply intertwined connections to the people in his unit.
He didn't wait to remove that tattoo in 2025 because he is a hateful nazi. But likely because it was one of the last material reminders of the people who paid the ultimate price.
Symbols aren't horrible because of what they intrinsically represent. They cant be, because they will almost always be subjectively interpreted. Their meanings are rooted on the actions of the people who carry them and the cultures that maintain them.
The swastika is similar but reversed. The longest known meaning of the swastika is not Nazism and hatred.
The swastika (known as "Manji" in Japan) is a Japanese Buddhist symbol that doesnt remotely represent hatred. It means good fortune, peace -and the footprint of Buddha.
But Hitler flipped it into something else entirely.
Platner's skull was the last remaining material reminder of the people who gave everything. He got rid of it because it offended other people. But the personal significance was beyond what any of us can imagine in the enormous sacrifices it represented by his friends.
= new reply since forum marked as read