a) I think re-examining the use of the term, and the use of our understanding of that period of history is a Good Thing - it's all about exploring connections, self-image, how much 'culture' came from invaders/traders/people already settled - a lot of that history as generally understood is very invested in clear demarcation lines, and I'm sure that actual history was a lot messier. At the same time, 'Anglo-Saxon' will probably remain useful shorthand.
b) the swastika is SUCH a loaded symbol, and personally, I welcome its eradication: it was an (unintended, but still) punch in the gut every time I saw one of those maps, and places that used other symbols felt much more welcoming. Even *knowing* its local importance/history, I cannot suppress my gut reaction, and I did not lose any family member in the holocaust, I'm merely a person who occasionally edits books on it. For me, not using it is the same courtesy as removing references to 'lame', 'blind' and 'stupid' ' from my vocabulary, *knowing* that those terms/phrases hurt others.
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Date: 2019-11-19 10:55 pm (UTC)b) the swastika is SUCH a loaded symbol, and personally, I welcome its eradication: it was an (unintended, but still) punch in the gut every time I saw one of those maps, and places that used other symbols felt much more welcoming. Even *knowing* its local importance/history, I cannot suppress my gut reaction, and I did not lose any family member in the holocaust, I'm merely a person who occasionally edits books on it. For me, not using it is the same courtesy as removing references to 'lame', 'blind' and 'stupid' ' from my vocabulary, *knowing* that those terms/phrases hurt others.