offensive material policy is too strict

[kaida-7896]

I understand the intent of this policy of being inclusive (nothing wrong with inclusion) but it's too strict, specifically with the part about caricatures and confederate flags.

Why?

Not everyone uses the confederate flag for racist reasons (I don't. I use it for heritage(I'm southern)).

plus the caricature part is too strict mentioning figurines, cartoons, historical advertisements, and golliwogs.

Hopefully I can provide updates or critique to your feedback.

[eburtonlab]

[duplicate thread]

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Ask-a-Mentor/Offensive-material-policy-is-too-strict/td-p/35092289

[nobody*s_perfect]

Not strictly a duplicate thread, since the other one is in the "Ask a Mentor" section where only select members can respond.  

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@kaida-7896 wrote:

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Not everyone uses the confederate flag for racist reasons (I don't. I use it for heritage(I'm southern)).

...

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Sorry, but those are indistinguishable.

[roccotacodad54]

   The offensive material policy seems to be selectively enforced. I never see confederate symbols.

   One of my hobbies for years has been to collect WWII rifles from all sides of the conflict and the items that go with them. In these searches it's not unusual for me to run into swasticas. The items I look for on Ebay (bayonets, ammo pouches, rifle slings etc.) didn't have them but searches sometimes include other items that do.

   Swasticas aren't supposed to be allowed but I see them often. 

   I just assume it depends on the demographic of the people that would be offended as to how often they get reported or noticed and taken down.

   I also collect vintage daggers of all sorts and prefer not to have any that will offend. I still see lots listed from time to time with offensive symbols..................

[eastlaneave]

@roccotacodad54 

eBay will take down Swastika items that falls under the prohibited items:

- Historical Holocaust-related and Nazi-related items, including reproductions
- Any item that is anti-Semitic or any item from after 1933 that bears a swastika

The following items may be listed:

- Media such as historical photos, magazines, books and art, provided that such material doesn't perpetuate or glorify violence, intolerance or racial stereotyping
- Stamps, letters, and envelopes displaying Nazi postmarks
- Currency issued by the Nazi Germany government, including military scripts
- Historically accurate WWII military model kits that have Nazi symbols
- Historical and religious items that bear a swastika if they are made before 1933 and are not related to Nazism

[pikabo-icu]

Whether or not "we" personally feel something is offensive is not the point.

Offense is always taken, never given but indeed specific items can be seen as offensive by a large number of people.

eBay chooses the smart business practice of banning things that many people deem offensive. Not that ALL people see them as offensive but why would you want to alienate a large group of people?

Perhaps MILLIONS of people? 

That would be very bad business. 

So eBay takes the safe route and I don't fault them for that. 

[powell-collectibles]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@kaida-7896 wrote:

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Not everyone uses the confederate flag for racist reasons (I don't. I use it for heritage(I'm southern)).

...

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Sorry, but those are indistinguishable.

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NAH, plenty of people love the confederate flag because of southern heritage and/or differentiation from the northern United States. I lived in Georgia for a couple of years – some extremely nice folks – not racist in the slightest – loved the confederate flag. Heck, some of us have an affinity for it just because of the Dukes of hazard.

when I see it flying up north – here in Ohio – I have a suspicion about what it really means to folks up here. But, then I remind myself that I don’t know what is in the hearts and minds of people that do such things. I try to think the best of people.

[onefootflipper1]

This is a fight you cannot win. The bad press such things can generate for ebay is far more damaging than the tiny amount of money it generates for them.

When I have had historically accurate German WWII model planes I always covered up a certain logo on them in the photos. When that logo would appear in the artwork on the cover of a book, I would cover it up.

Venues are only going to get more restrictive on such things in the future. If you have a large collection of such items I suggest just unloading it at one shot at a live auction. Live auctioneers never seem to have any problem with anything.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

There is no rational way of predicting what will offend someone. Although there are some items which one knows will offend some people, there are many items which will offend people which most people will not be able to predict.

We may be at a turning point between sensitivity to any persons feelings or we may not.

There are markets for the truly offensive items which are not major internet marketplaces, and the restrictive policies on these marketplaces help keep the prices high where the items are permitted.

I have dealt with genuine historically significant items which are racist. My buyers have often been members of the race which is being demeaned.

There are so many people with zero understanding of history, and a site like Ebay needs them to succeed. They provide a market for things which are historically insignificant.

Were I to sell historically significant items of a variety of types which are viewed as offensive, in the absence of a collector I already have dealt with, I would take a modest profit selling to a dealer who specializes in such merchandise. I still know a few on the show circuit.

[roccotacodad54]

   Yes I realize that they are prohibited. I was just saying that I see them fairly often in searches.

[gone.c-33]

Would you also call it “heritage not hate” if German states included the Nazi flag in their state flag or if people flew it because their grandpa and uncle were in the SS?

[chariot_badges]

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@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

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@kaida-7896 wrote:

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Not everyone uses the confederate flag for racist reasons (I don't. I use it for heritage(I'm southern)).

...

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Sorry, but those are indistinguishable.

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There was more slavery under the stars-n-bars than the confederate battle flag.

I think that we should have our noses rubbed in that shameful period daily.

Same with Germany, and their shameful period.

We need to be reminded.

[chariot_badges]

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@eastlaneave wrote:

@roccotacodad54 

eBay will take down Swastika items that falls under the prohibited items:

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But, it is allowed on a US University campus.   

smh

[chariot_badges]

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@gone.c-33 wrote:

Would you also call it “heritage not hate” if German states included the Nazi flag in their state flag or if people flew it because their grandpa and uncle were in the SS?

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I lived in Germany as a teenager in 1956 to 1960 or so.

Believe this:  The majority of Germans would much rather have everyone forget about that period in their history, and appreciate any help the deniers and hiders of history can provide.  You're doing a great job. 

The sooner ya'll forget about The Holocaust, the better ... for the Nazi's.