Where in the USA do you live? I live in Chicago, and I know a lot of car dealerships display the flag, but other than that offhand I can’t recall seeing any, so they’re relatively rare. I definitely know of exactly one home that flies a flag, and I happen to know that because it’s across the street from a public library I often go to. Under the USA flag it also flies a flag of another country but I can’t remember which one.
My kid went through a phase where he pointed out every single American flag he saw. Trust me, there are a LOT out there that you’re not noticing.
And this is central Jersey – not exactly a hotbed of jingoistic patriotism.
Yeah, I did that once, too.
I used to think there weren’t that many, and then I decided to actually count. In several parts of town, it’s difficult to go 200 feet without being in sight of a flag.
They’re so common, you don’t really notice anymore. They just blend in.
It’s very common in the south. My FIL has a flag flying in his front yard. I also know of at least 3 houses within a couple of miles of mine that have Confederate flags flying in the front yard.
I’m an American Jew who spent two and a half years in rural Bavaria. Never once saw the slightest indication of any Neo-Nazism at all, whatsoever. Similar to your brother, I did once get an absolute death-stare for making a really mild (and admittedly lame) Nazi joke*. I’d go and get drunk and wander around Berlin alone at ungodly hours, and I think it’s the safest I’ve ever felt in a major city on any possible scale.
*What sort of weather did the Nazis love the most? Heil! So yeah, I deserved the death stare regardless, but my friend’s German girlfriend was really not amused.
All of the replies that stick to the OP query and inform me as to the mood of the country are most appreciated and of great use.
I’ll be all over the country, to answer the question as to where I’m going.
Then it appears you’ll be fine, since “all over the country” is where neo-Nazis are overwhelmingly not a problem.
If you are looking for it everyone with short hair turns into a skinhead.
But, finally, some stats:
A breakdown on numbers of extremists can be found on this summary (PDF) of the 2013 report of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz)
Graphics on politically-motivated crimes of violence in 2012/2013
Translation of bar captions, with the 2013 numbers:
- Total (801)
- Xenophobic violent crimes (473)
- Violent crimes against left-wing extremists or supposed left-wing extremists (146)
- Violent crimes against other political opponents (52)
- anti-semitic violent crimes (45)
Left-wing violence
Translation of bar captions, with the 2013 numbers
- Total (1110)
- Violent crimes against police/other security forces (632)
- Violent crimes against right-wing extremists or supposed right-wing extremists: (566)
- other (151)
So, 473 xenophobic violent crimes against about 16 millions of immigrants and decendants of immigrants to Germany, 632 anti-right violent crimes against about 23,000 right-wing extremists.
Sorry, should read “566 anti-right violent crimes against about 23,000 right-wing extremists.” - I read from the wrong column. Anyway, gracer’s comment upthread is pertinent.
If I may add a tangent for our more well-travelled dopers…
How far do the ‘neo-’ ideas go in the other former Axis countries - Italy and Japan, specifically?
Never been to Japan, but in Italy I never came across any hints of neo-Fascism (nor did I see any trace of neo-Nazism in Germany). However, Mussolini isn’t treated with the near universal disgust that Hitler is in Germany despite the fact that he dragged Italy into a bloody, destructive war that could have been avoided. That said at least he wasn’t a racist shithead like Hitler was, probably why he has a tomb and Hitler doesn’t.
What about Japan - how deep does the WWII nationalism/bushido still go?
Opposed to France..
This isn’t The Pit. I wish it was. I’d be allowed to use language appropriate to this moment. However, it’s IMHO.
So, IMHO, those of you who were so bemused at my queries regarding Anti-Jewish and Neo-Nazi sentiments in Germany- and within the EU- need to shush the heck up and read the real news.
“Gas The Jews” isn’t some made-up paranoid froth. It’s a direct quote.
I must only pray that Germany isn’t interested in entertaining the same level of Anti-Semitism. Despite precedent.
So much for praying. Germany is now hosting anti-Jewish rallies as well.
So. Either I am remarkably good at PhotoShop, or my OP- much derided and mocked- turns out to be a spot-on concern regarding travel in Germany.
Greenbean, I’ll be happy to accept that apology whenever you get around to it.
:dubious:
This is gonna be a shitty overseas journey.
If you’re that worried, then why are you even going?
If I was afraid of being killed or injured I would just stay at home.
Long-standing family commitment.
No. Nothing as dramatic as that. I started this thread because of my fears about going back to Germany- the nation that gleefully murdered a lot of my descendants. And how irrational that felt after all of these decades. The common theme of response in here has been that I was pretty much paranoid beyond belief.
Kinda wondering what the fuck the response is now that “Gas The Jews” and “Jew Pigs” has been video recorded and spread for the globe to bear witness to.
I am hopeful that the trip will be entirely uneventful for myself and my family. Then again, since my last name is one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, well… I’ll find out when a hotel manager or car rental agent takes a long look at me and decides to make use of their right to free speech…
My concerns are meaningless. What is happening to citizens of Germany and France is of great meaning.
Since you’re going yourself, why not just go, and then when you get home, come back to this thread andn post your observations? Or are you afraid you might be affected by neo-nazism while you are visiting, and you’re wondering if you have to take any defensive precautions to insulate yourself from its harmful effects?
I’m glad you’ve already planned out your persecution in your head. Just keep an eye out for any roving bands of masons; they’ll molest you as soon as look at you.