Izzue Issue

E-mail I've received from Chinese readers, save one, regarding the Izzue issue, has been 100% supportive of my comments.

This I appreciate. I'd hoped that people would understand I'm not attacking the Chinese, but pointing out the need for everyone to be considerate of the feelings of others, regardless of race.

It reminded me of a story I heard surrounding the making of the film, Schindler's List. For anyone that doubts the power of Nazi regalia, let me recount. The actor Ralph Fiennes played concentration camp commandant Amon Goeth. When he was introduced in full Hauptsturmfuhrer costume by Stephen Spielberg to Mila Pfefferberg, herself one of Schindler's survivors, the elderly lady nearly fainted, her knees giving out beneath her. As Spielberg recalled:

I held her while Ralph enthused about how important it was for him to meet her — and she vibrated with terror. She didn't see an actor. She saw Amon Goeth.

Had Fiennes met the woman dressed in normal clothing that wouldn't have happened. I remember reading other camp survivors employed in the film wouldn't go near him; they were terrified. The uniforms of the SS were designed for this purpose.

I'm happy to receive messages of support; it gladdens me to know it isn't just foreigners that recognise the profanity of marketing goods with these symbols of hatred.

One day we'll learn to stop killing each other.

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