Why is eBay trying to erase history and ban items?

[vividmotion]

I have never posted here before, but feel I must say something as eBay's NEW politically correct policy of what is considered "Offensive Material" is threatening to erase history and reminders of the past and present that are deemed to someone, somewhere and somehow to be "offensive"? Including any item that depicts the confederate flag, anything post 1933 that includes symbolism of Nazi Germany, anything that can be considered offensive to anyone who identifies themselves by race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. This is the official new "Offensive Materials Policy update" This is directly from the ebay:

What is the policy

- Listings that promote, perpetuate, or glorify hatred, violence, or discrimination, including on the grounds of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, aren’t allowed. This includes, but isn't limited to, the following:
-- Slurs or epithets of any kind
-- Items, including figurines, cartoons, housewares, historical advertisements, and golliwogs with racist, anti-Semitic, or otherwise demeaning portrayals, for example through caricatures or other exaggerated features
-- Black Americana items that are discriminatory
-- Slavery items, including reproductions, such as tags, shackles, documents, bills of sale, etc.
-- Confederate battle flag and related items with its image
-- Historical Holocaust-related items, including reproductions
-- Any item that is anti-Semitic or any item from after 1933 that bears a swastika
-- Media identified as Nazi propaganda
-- Listings that imply or promote support of, membership in, or funding of a terrorist organization
- When offering shipping to other countries, make sure to first check our

What is happening to us?!?

[nobody*s_perfect]

Most of the text in that policy isn't new.

[corvettestainless]

The same reason there are no Stalin or Hitler Statues (statues are a sign of reverence); no Nazi flags or Nazi flag manufacturers (that will openly admit it). To have a statue of something/someone  that represented evil and hatred is not something that should be 'revered' by anyone, especially when for no other reason than 'they are not the same as me'.... is simply wrong. 

There are statues of Shaq and Kobi in front of the Lakers Playing Facility (Staples Center). These are people to be revered for what they accomplished for the entity that they sit outside of, and for most anyone that visits there, will appreciate these statues. 

To pay money for and/or collect any item of these past hateful times is to give reverence to them. 

Ebay is a company that has to uphold a certain reputation, and to allow others to 'revere' in these items that represented hate, even if 'old days', is to be in compliance to these same thoughts. 

So, these items will always be available in the history books, taught as American History in schools, they are not to be revered. Ever. 

[voguevintage]

The policy isn't new, but they're enforcing it with a chainsaw instead of a scalpel now because they want to look "woke".

[collectfest]

The same reason there are no Stalin or Hitler Statues (statues are a sign of reverence); no Nazi flags or Nazi flag manufacturers (that will openly admit it). To have a statue of something/someone  that represented evil and hatred is not something that should be 'revered' by anyone, especially when for no other reason than 'they are not the same as me'.... is simply wrong. 

There are statues of Shaq and Kobi in front of the Lakers Playing Facility (Staples Center). These are people to be revered for what they accomplished for the entity that they sit outside of, and for most anyone that visits there, will appreciate these statues. 

To pay money for and/or collect any item of these past hateful times is to give reverence to them. 

Ebay is a company that has to uphold a certain reputation, and to allow others to 'revere' in these items that represented hate, even if 'old days', is to be in compliance to these same thoughts. 

So, these items will always be available in the history books, taught as American History in schools, they are not to be revered. Ever. 

Greetings,

I read your  post and just had to respond.

I do think your opinion is valid and by all means have a right to them.

What I object to your thoughts being expressed as facts. They are not facts. It is hate speech to me to have someone take my inventory and judge me about what I spend my money on. Your comments are polarizing and shaming in my opinion. By all means you have a right to them.

Here is one example. You state to pay money or collect any item of these past hateful times pays reverence to them. Your statement is written as fact. It is not fact. There are many reasons people pay for such historical material. Yes, much of it rooted in the errors and horrors of our past. By collecting such items does not equal reverence to them. It could, but it is not a rule.

Your comments are offensive to me, but you have a right to have them.

As to the ebay rules. I am fine with them. I will not list these items here. It's their site, so be it.

Having said that history will tell the story from ALL people and perspectives.

Not just the museums and schools YOU feel tell the story YOU want to have  portrayed.

So, I say I will not judge you and I will not allow you to dictate to me why people may choose to collect such items no matter how disgusting the may be.

Regards.

I do not show reverence to athletes either. You can, not a problem.

[vividmotion]

Does that mean we shouldn't sell any religious related items? By your ideology it shows reverence to idols and ideals that millions have been massacred for on all religious sides?

[fashunu4eeuh]

Ebay is not erasing history. I am not even sure anyone or anything has that kind of power, let alone a sales platform. eBay has to watch out for its share holders and not engage in activities that might be damaging to its bottom line. So for whatever reason, they are exercising their right to conduct business as they see fit. I don't have a problem with that. I can either accept it and stay, or move along to an entity more in line with my own values and outlook if i find being here untenable.

[gracieallen01]

"Why is eBay trying to erase history and ban items?"

I think ebay's feels that it is their obligation and to the benefit of those who hold stock, to please all the people (buyers), all of the time.

[voguevintage]

eBay is doing this as a PR move. The almost entirely white leadership team and board want to look "woke".

The timing is also no coincidence. They need some good PR in the light of the cyberstalking scandal. They're hoping this story will bury it. I bet they're sending out press releases to major news outlets right now about their decision.

[gracieallen01]

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@voguevintage wrote:

eBay is doing this as a PR move. The almost entirely white leadership team and board want to look "woke".

The timing is also no coincidence. They need some good PR in the light of the cyberstalking scandal. They're hoping this story will bury it. I bet they're sending out press releases to major news outlets right now about their decision.

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This may well be accurate. And, for a corp in their position, I can understand it - I don't have to appreciate it, though.

However, I do believe that the DOJ will have something to say about the other topic being buried, though they might possible hope for it to become lower profile until the investigation is fully completed and it is in court.

[upgradedendmills]

Pretty big leap to get from collecting to revering. I have a small collection of Model T Ford cars, doesn't mean I revere Henry Ford or agree with any of his ideas. No way do I miss the Confederate statues in downtown San Antonio, but, I also don't have a great appreciation for our "rainbow" crosswalks.  We have gone from excessive force, to upgraded murder charges, to "execution" in a very short timeframe. Some of this has been sponsored by racist radical preachers (Reverend Al) who are bombastic loudmouths and not qualified to represent any group.

     We are standing on a cliff, and all this corporate pandering is not helping anyone. Shaq and Kobi are not heroes or role models to me, just great athletes.

[coolections]

@vividmotion 

Where have you been the last 8 years or so. Everyone wants to erase history not just Ebay. Most of the US statues have been ripped apart, flags burned, signs torn up, buildings parks and streets renamed, etc. So yes, it is not just Ebay, People no longer want history from the past and wants to forget it ever happened. I think it started with Obama allowing everyone to pass in school regardless of grades, and everyone to receive an award in athletics regardless of what place they came in. So to answer your question, NO it is not just Ebay.

[7606dennis]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

"Why is eBay trying to erase history and ban items?"

I think ebay's feels that it is their obligation and to the benefit of those who hold stock, to please all the people (buyers), all of the time.

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If I'm not mistaken, or some of what the history channel believes to be true, that is the same reasoning that many of Germany's industrialists used in the 1930's to support Hitler's regime.  In the beginning his programs seemed to be great for the German economy and their bottom line.  Unfortunately for the world, including Germany itself, they didn't recognize where things were headed.  That is the big problem with trying to hide the true history.  Once those that have lived through it, the memory fades from the collective consciousness.  Without the monuments and other physical reminders to remind our species what has gone on before we lose sight of it and later archaeologists tout their discoveries of what mankind has forgotten.

Did slavery exist?  Yes and still does in some parts of the world.  Were there atrocities committed in the name of one god or another?  Yes and there still are.  Does denying the past mean it doesn't exist and will never be revisited?  No.  Only remembering it is what keeps it from being repeated over and over in an endless cycle.

[gracieallen01]

Yes, we are on the same page.  Too many people think it inconvenient or bothersome to bother with history, thus it is offensive.  A bad personal experience or supposed dis makes the history of others offensive.  The reasons are not finite.   

It is the same 'ME' game that has been played out for ages - "we won, so we write the history and now we are equal, which makes us better".

[moondogblues]

"Does that mean we shouldn't sell any religious related items? By your ideology it shows reverence to idols and ideals that millions have been massacred for on all religious sides?"

More people have been killed in the name of 'religion' than any wars. Why is that? I don't think that question will ever be answered. Sad.