In our neighborhood some time between sundown on Sunday, September 20 and yesterday, September 21, a person or persons unknown painted a yellow and red "88" on the front door of former city councilor Bill Dwight and Alida Lewis. According to Bill, the young policeman responded said, "Oh look. Someone painted your house number on your door." A close look at the brush strokes in the numerals reveal the intent of the vandal, however. Not "39" but "88". "88" is neo-Nazi code for Heil Hitler. "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet and Neo-nazi songs and groups have 88 in their name, like Code 88, an Australian neo-Nazi group.
Its a bit unsettling, and both Bill and Alida are shook up. Bill, of course, both on WHMP and when he was on city council, was a forceful spokesman for gay rights and other controversial causes. Was this vandalism a warning?
6 comments:
The best thing to do, is precisely what Bill, and you, are doing...talk about it...let everyone know. Many people who are victims of anonymous harassment keep it quiet...the offenders take advantage of this and strike again.
Keep speaking out!
This reminds me of a T-shirt I saw for sale on Monday at a booth at The Big E. Referring to a race car driver, the shirt says, "88 reasons why I hate Number 24" and includes many anti-gay slurs. I encourage people to write to The Big E about it: http://www.thebige.com/contactus.html
@AdamRCohen
Before you leap to nazi, do you think maybe the 88 on the shirt might refer to Dale Earnhardt Jr., who drives the #88 car?
As for the 88 on the door, it seems odd to this reader. 88 is [or was, before it became more widely known] often used as an "in" phrase, something neonazis and fellow travelers can [or could] use to self identify without catching attention of the average Joe. If you want to accuse someone of being a nazi by painting something on their door, a swastika seems the more time honored choice.
Considering the text on the shirt and other items on sale at this booth, including Confederate paraphernalia, plus the well-known neo-Nazi connotation of 88, I conclude that the vendor believes the neo-Nazi reference is good for sales, even if some will also see 88 as an allusion to Dale Earnhardt Jr. I can't believe this vendor is unaware of the neo-Nazi symbolism.
Questionable paraphernalia for sale at the Big E certainly is a big deal and everyone should absolutely spend as much of their free time as possible thinking about it.
And just so there's no confusion -- this 88 also appeared (in the same color paint) on a hallway in the Old School Commons, along with a swastika.
So the meaning is clear. The creepiness is also.
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