The U.S. Coast Guard is backtracking big time after folks noticed a questionable policy change regarding hate symbols like swastikas and nooses. The Washington Post reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would now be classifying these symbols as “potentially divisive.” And better believe folks online took issue with what they called the department’s passive language on historically offensive marks.
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“Under Trump’s leadership only white supremacists and Nazis are safe,” Dr. Allison Wiltz wrote on X.
The Coast Guard’s new guidelines on “harassing behavior” were set to go into effect beginning on Dec. 15. It gave the “potentially divisive” label to symbols and “flags co-opted or adopted by hate-based groups.” This is a clear difference from previous guidelines where clear symbols of hate were treated as such.
Folks online blamed President Donald Trump voters for the Guard’s mild and sneaky language change. “Tell all these white liberals in love with [Ga. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene] that this is what she voted for,” @Needle_of_Arya said. “Go find Jon Stewart and tell him that this is what his ‘Attila the Hun’ relative voted for– what Dearborn voted for– what the 22%, the 46%, & the 55% voted for …white American soldiers being Nazis.”
“Some people in this country will always target, harass, and discriminate against, in their words ‘the Jews and Blacks,’” @WeSee2024 tweeted. “Somehow they think we’re both America and the World’s problem. And sadly those disgusting people are running the American government now.”
@TundeSilk said, “There’s no saving this country. We are past that point. We are what we are.”
@DJ_Royel wrote, “Swastikas, nooses and traitorous Confederate flags are not considered hate symbols… Interesting.”
“The same administration that’s allowing swastikas in the Coast Guard is firing people over pride flags,” @covie_93 tweeted.
Since 2020, hanging up pride flags in support of the LGBTQ+ community has been banned in the military, NBC News reported. Folks pointed out the irony of such a harsh policy against pride flags but not against harmful hate symbols. @acnewsitics said, “So a pride flag gets you fired, but a goddamn swastika is a-ok?”
“They called all supporters of a free Palestine antisemitic and yet the real antisemitism is on its way in a completely different form,” @whoisjjcarr wrote.
@dylanali_ said, “Need the US govt to pick one, are yall locking everyone up for antisemitism or being Nazis you can’t do both.”
DHS responded to the outrage denying such policy exists. “Y’all are just making things up now,” the department wrote on X, with a skull emoji. But on Thursday (Nov. 20), the Coast Guard released a new policy tightening language regarding hate symbols.
This policy “doubles down on its current policies” on banning hate symbols, the Coast Guard wrote in a statement obtained by The Hill. “Divisive or hate symbols and flags are prohibited,” the memo said.
DHS also clarified the confusion, saying the Guard “does not tolerate the display of divisive or hate symbols and flags, including those identified with oppression or hatred. These symbols reflect hateful and prohibited conduct that undermines unit cohesion.”
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