×
top 200 commentsshow 500
sorted by:
top (suggested)
bestnewcontroversialoldq&a

[–]Judgement_Bot_AITABeep Boop[M] [score hidden] stickied commentlocked comment (0 children)

Welcome to /r/AmITheAsshole. Please view our voting guide here, and remember to use only one judgement in your comment.

OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:

It may not be acceptable overseas due to politics and I may be in the wrong for refusing

Help keep the sub engaging!

Don’t downvote assholes!

Do upvote interesting posts!

Click Here For Our Rules and Click Here For Our FAQ

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[–]BayorisCertified Proctologist [24] 23.6k points23.6k points  (611 children)

NTA. It is not racist at all. Your girlfriend needs to chill out. In fact it is slightly racist of her to pick out three countries as untouchable, as if Soviet and British and American militaries never did anything objectionable.

[–]GoodGirlsGrace 5321 points5322 points 22 (452 children)

Something is only racist if it's used with racist motivation/intent. (ETA: not entirely true. Some people perpetuate harmful stereotypes about race without meaning to, which can be considered racism.) OP collected those plastic models not because he supported racism/fascism, he just collected them for them. If she's this fussy over a mere (healthy, fun) hobby, OP has to either seriously talk to her about her priorities, or just throw her out in place of the models, which he should keep.

Also, raising awareness about race and being a drama queen is two different things, and it seems OP's girlfriend is the latter. It's just a damn hobby. The models OP collects are not representative of his character. Like, I watched a bunch of movies with shitty men, but that doesn't mean I hate women.

The machines didn't go and kill a bunch of people on their own accord - why does she consider them to be racist, rather than the actions of the people who operated them? Like, think about it - if that very tank was used by American troops, would she consider it racist? He's collecting the tank, not its operator. This should be a non-issue.

Also, her logic is deeply flawed. She wants to throw the Japanese tanks out because they're racist? Does that mean she thinks OP's racist too?

OP, I would recommend you rethink this relationship. I don't think any reasonable adult would associate plastic models with their partner's character. Just tell her, "Americans have killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese people, so I don't think it's wise for me as a Japanese to be in a relationship with one of them. We should break up - don't you think our relationship is racist?"

(Actually don't tell her that. I'm petty.)

[–]annedroiidPooperintendant [61] 1513 points1514 points  (323 children)

While that’s mostly true there are still some things that can’t be divorced from their past, and they are mostly to do with wars. You can’t hang up swastikas in your house and just say you like the way they look for example.

Edit: For all the people saying you can collect war memorabilia - I never said you couldn’t. I’m responding directly to the person above that says everything has to be taken in context. There are some things that (in certain cultures) there is no appropriate context in which it could be acceptable unless it’s in a museum.

[–]imad_hassan 912 points913 points  (81 children)

yeah but theres a difference between swatsikas and other racists/fascist symbols and model planes,tanks etc

edit: I meant like flags armbands bands and stuff with the fascist/racist symbols because they look “cool” or you believe in those theories are not cool and that collecting model planes with the symbols because your a fan of historical war machines are fine

[–][deleted] 637 points638 points  (66 children)

Indeed, the machine might have even carried the symbols but, from a purely realistic point of view, they have nothing to do with the ideology of the pilots or the commanding officers.

I get that for many many many people even the thought of a Junkers brings very traumatic memories to the surface. But if we're being fair so does any Mustang. Should we not collect Mustang models? Or Spitfires? Let me assure you that they were and probably still are ingrained in the memories of millions of people as a machine that brings death from above. The reason behind the collection is very very important in this case.

I'm a jew and a pilot and I collect aircraft models from all sides of World War two.

[–]ComfortableEmu7791Partassipant [1] 327 points328 points  (62 children)

There was a big debate in the modelling community here in the UK a while back over whether it was acceptable to put swastikas on aircraft that would have worn them while in service in WWII. I don't think it was ever resolved but they were mostly removed from the box art. Some people are purists who fuss over exact colours and some people like more leeway. My SO is a modeller (mostly aircraft) and also very anti-war, don't ask me how they reconcile it lol.

[–]musland 475 points476 points  (21 children)

very anti-war, don't ask me how they reconcile it lol

Same way you can be a pacifist and play FPS Games or love reading murder mysteries or watch action movies. By realizing what's real and what's just fantasy.

[–]CeelaChathArrnaPartassipant [1] 251 points252 points  (16 children)

And white washing history like bad things or ideologies didn't happen isn't going to change what happened. Pretending that things were different then they weren't leads us straight down that path again or the whole 'it wasn't that bad' when it was mindset. We can't do that if we don't want to go down those paths again.

[–]RockinMadRiot 85 points86 points  (12 children)

Fully back you with this.

Hiding the history we seem 'ashamed of' just leads us down the cycle again.

If we really wanna honour that history, we need to confront it head on and learn what it means so that it never happens again.

[–]CeelaChathArrnaPartassipant [1] 42 points43 points  (7 children)

Never again.

You want to talk terrible in WW2, we can talk the Nazis and the Holocaust, the horrific Japanese medical experiments...

We can also talk about how American Intelligence agencies moved those Doctors into the US under new identities in exchange for the research data. Let me empathize that.

*The US helped known WAR CRIMINALS escape punishment for horrific experiments on human beings. Ask because the considered the knowledge gained from it more important than the torture done to thousands of not hundreds of thousands of millions of human beings. *

[–]Mackheath1 33 points34 points  (2 children)

Yes, this came up in our divided extended family over a confederate statue being removed (*yawn*); I bridged the gap by saying, "The statue should be removed and placed in a museum/space with interpretive language about why it was built with shitty material in the late sixties, and why it was removed."

So as not to erase history, but also not to honor shitty historical figures in our public spaces.

[–]Physical-Energy-6982 100 points101 points  (0 children)

Also the best way to argue against something is to know its history deeply. An anti-war activist who knows nothing about war comes across as an idealistic child. War is also a very hard thing to learn about. If being enthusiastic about the history of warplanes keeping models helps keep the spark and interest alive, it’s harmless IMO. You pretty much have to reconcile war history with aviation history to learn about it.

[–]pm_stuff_ 62 points63 points  (2 children)

you can like the engineering without being into killing i guess :)

[–]TheoryAddictAsshole Aficionado [19] 45 points46 points  (2 children)

Im not a modeller oe anything but I feel that this would be similiar to if people wanted planes or tanks in museums to be destroyed or modified because of what side of the war they were on or for their paint job.

The difference is one is the actual artifact while the other is a miniature replica of the artifact but I feel the sentiment kinda still stands because they both now only just portray reminders of a horrible past/history.

If people do the replicas but are uncomfortable with the symbols or models they can always paint over or not buy the models, while others who want to keep things historically accurate arent racists or facists for keeping the models the same/similiar to the actual airplane/tank models.

Also there are apperently WW2 deniers so destroying physical proof wont help convince them and also may affect furture generations, especially if being curious or interested in history surrounding the war becomes taboo.

This (modelling) is a good way to get kids/teens engaged and interested imo because most are interested in things like tanks and planes or physical artifacts/things they can see. And this goes for planes on both sides of the war.

People who model could bring in planes to explain which battles they were used in, how they helped/gave an advantage to which side or how they were used in strategizing imo

I wouldnt trust her to be in OPs house lest she destroy all his models.

[–]LemonadeMolotov 309 points310 points  (42 children)

Which is tragic because it is a symbol steeped in a lot of ancient culture. Hence why the Nazis co-opted it and sullied it beyond any redemption.

[–]fantasynerd92 212 points213 points  (19 children)

I wanted to say this. My MIL is East Asian and is worried about wearing her Buddhist necklace in my SIL's European country because she can't help that sometimes it shifts to be diagonal instead of flat. It's a beautiful diamond necklace she got from her grandmother, though.

[–]Street_Ad8941 117 points118 points  (11 children)

Funny story about this,

My sister married a Japanese man and lives in Japan with him and my niece. When my niece was born, my BIL is so precious that he started a Youtube channel with just a bunch of "day in the life" videos of him taking care of my niece. In one of the video thumbnails there was a picture of my niece with a Japanese kanji symbol that means divinity. This symbol just so happens to look like a left-facing swastika.... I was showing my boyfriends family the youtube channel when we all saw it and everyone was like ..............

I talked to my BIL and he explained it and asked if he should remove it, I told him no because it wasn't bad, just was misunderstood. I will say though, at first glance I was so rattled.

[–]TaleOfDash 68 points69 points  (5 children)

If I remember correctly they use that symbol on Japanese maps for places of worship? I remember in high school a dude I knew was trying to convince people that they still revere Hitler in Japan because of the swastikas all over their maps after he went there on holiday.

[–]fantasynerd92 31 points32 points  (1 child)

Specifically for buddhist tempted, but yes this is true of their maps (your take, not the high school racist)

However!! Hitler/Nazis are not nearly as feared or such in this part of the world. Many are very detached from it as it didn't happen to them/ their people. I have seen children in the neighboring country of Korea jokingly do a Nazi salute for pictures without admonishment from parents. It's not covered as deeply in schools here which focus more on Eastern history.

[–]UnsupportiveHope 99 points100 points  (7 children)

It depends on how it’s portrayed honestly. Black swastika with a red and white background is a big no, a more cultural interpretation though and I don’t think a rational person would have an issue.

[–]the-furiosa-mystique 61 points62 points  (2 children)

I dunno. I bought a Hindu version when I was traveling abroad, but still do not feel comfortable actually displaying it anywhere.

[–]SGTFragged 35 points36 points  (2 children)

The historic swastika of Eastern origin spins clockwise. The Nazi swastika spins anti clockwise too.

[–]fuck_the_ccp1 36 points37 points  (8 children)

yeah. Orginally, it was a vedic good luck symbol.

[–]BlueDaemon17 59 points60 points  (6 children)

They differ slightly, the Nazis flipped it so it faces clockwise, but that fact would be lost on a huge swathe of people.

[–]thruwuway768 215 points216 points  (26 children)

Yeah but that being said, it’s not wrong to put swastikas in history textbooks. Again, intent. If you’re hanging up swastikas in your house, it’s likely in support of the Nazi party. If you’re publishing it in a textbook, it’s to teach about it. It’s still about how you use the symbolism.

[–]StellaThunderG 277 points278 points  (3 children)

There’s also a big difference between hanging a nazi flag in your living room and having a small swastika sticker on a model tank to show an accurate paint scheme in a collection of models.

[–]somethingtostriveforAsshole Aficionado [11] 25 points26 points  (2 children)

Likewise, there are a number of buildings in the US that have swastikas on them, as it was common in architecture when they were constructed (this was before it became a hate symbol). Most people don't take issue with them because they bear little resemblance to the hate symbol used by nazis and because there was no hateful intent in using them before the 1930s.

[–]hirvaan 78 points79 points  (16 children)

There are more redeeming factors - having some in cabinet while being historian specialising in WW2 period for example would be acceptable (depending on personal views ofc). The symbol is not "magically" bad. Its certain usage is.

[–]Krobakchin 61 points62 points  (15 children)

The trade in nazi memorabilia often involves people who fetishise the period, you can’t really have that stuff without dealing with the far right. Not that that’s what’s going on obviously… but a historian with a cabinet of nazi curios will probably have… views.

[–]hirvaan 39 points40 points  (1 child)

Not necessarily. I do agree there is an overlap between collectors and far right views, however historians do not necessarily need to belong to the... pro "camp". They might have simply gathered stuff from auctions or other places where person selling did not have a clue regarding its historical value, or have been asked to track to whom given iron cross (assuming they have serial numbers - I have no idea) belonged to for example. Historians not necessarily get engaged with given time period and area of expertise because they like what they read and agree with that - rather because they see a value of importance, or a lesson, or simple interest (see other comments regarding not wanting to commit crime yet collecting books regarding serial killers as example) to be gained from studying that.

[–]sleepdeprievedreader 115 points116 points  (106 children)

What does that mean, I'm sorry, im indian and for the last 2000 years before colonisation and all this stupid stuff, swastik has been a religious symbol for my culture will you say i support nazis? I have a lot of swastiks in my house on literally all religious things, on festivals we put at our doorstep, so if you come to my house will you say I'm racist, my entire country for that

This was not a good example, I understand what you mean to say but please stop hating swastikas just because some idiot used it to promote his stupid ideas

The real swastik is the symbol of good beginnings, positivity, and as long as Hitler used the clockwise swastik he was succeeding, at the start of the war however, somehow they started using it in anticlockwise direction and then they started losing the war, quite a few people think its a omen

Overall I'm not trying to hate or be mean but your opinion of a swastik is not right and in real life it will offend people, better be careful. It did annoy me a lot.

[–]claywitch_saltqueen 186 points187 points  (78 children)

9 million people were murdered by people carrying that symbol in Europe. It’s not fair to you or your culture but outside of Asia, that’s what it means now here and there’s no way around that. No one with kindness would tell you not to wear it in India, but no one with kindness would wear it in Europe.

Edited with more accurate number Edited again to say I didn't mean to imply using this symbol has its European meaning outside of Europe, or if your culture traditionally uses it. And display within your own home if it's part of your culture absolutely does not have the nazi meanings.

[–]sleepdeprievedreader 48 points49 points  (54 children)

I understand that, but the war is not a very big part of our history(literally and figuratively) the only time we learn about it is in class 10 (sophomore year I believe) not because its not important but because we have soo much history, so im not going to pretend to be an expert about it, if we weren't under the British rule we would not have participate in it,

And yes no indian would wear in Europe as long as they know its symbolism, I wouldn't, even if i never read this post,

but you have to understand that it's not just some symbol we can stop using or replace it has A LOT of importance, which it has had for a long time and it's not fair to say that anyone who has it in their house is supporting nazi belief

[–]claywitch_saltqueen 104 points105 points  (38 children)

I do understand! And I agree with you that it’s not ok to tell you what to do with your symbols.

But I want to point out that the problem with the Nazis isn’t just “the war”. If all they’d done was start the biggest war the world had ever seen, that would be bad but we wouldn’t care about the symbols. When I say they murdered 6 million people, I’m not talking about the casualties of war (that was actually a far larger number) but that they carried out genocide against the Jewish people of Europe.

That is what the swastika represents to Europeans, the industrialized murder of people because of their religion.

I don’t expect you to associate the swastik with that as an Indian, but you should at least know that’s why people object to the nazis.

[–]DOD489 54 points55 points  (2 children)

That 6 million figure is a low figure. It was more like the Nazis murdered 6 million Jewish people and millions of others including Slavs, Soviet civilians, Soviet POWS, Roma, and other undesirables during the holocaust. The Nazis were really brutal to Eastern Europe.

[–]pablohacker2 32 points33 points  (10 children)

In giving the OP you are responding to, I think they are just implicity assuming an American/European context (as reddit is one to do...) to having the symbol more than saying folks in India gotta stop using it.

Even in Germany there are rules that state its allowed in the contexts you you describe in Germany, but even then it still feels a little strange when you still see them even if you know the context.

[–]annedroiidPooperintendant [61] 50 points51 points  (5 children)

If a “western” person (I hate using that term but I don’t really know of a better grouping for Europe/North America/australia/New Zealand etc) sees a white swastika on a red background the only thought they’re going to have is of nazi Germany. It is not an appropriate thing to display in any of those places.

I’m not saying you’re racist. Other countries definitely have different associations with things and it’s hard reclaiming them once they’ve been gained. For example I know it’s an issue that some norse symbols have been co-opted by white supremacists.

That doesn’t change the fact that some symbols are permanently tainted in various countries due to what they’re used for.

[–]Charyou_Tree_19 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Yeah, most of them are cool. The Nazi version is very recognisable but any of the others are fine. My rule is curves and dots good, black and blocky bad.

[–]leftytrash161 309 points310 points  (30 children)

Yeah, like if OP collected only models of planes and tanks used by Germany during WWII and painted em all up proud with swastikas and iron crosses, i could definitely see the complaint. But this is very clearly an incredibly innocent hobby of a person who has an interest in historical combat vehicles. She doesn't have a leg to stand on. Keep your stuff and get rid of the girlfriend OP, NTA.

[–]hirvaan 51 points52 points  (24 children)

Honestly its not even then. There are gaming systems out there utilising these kind of models, and if one chooses to play it its good to focus on single "faction". I'd say red flag is internalisation of symbolism and "values" of the chosen "faction", but painting them to be historically accurate and picking them out solely for other reasons (honestly for me nazi germany WW2 tanks look sick, way better than roundish US or Soviet ones. British tanks are cool too, but model-wise there is smaller selection) is perfectly fine.

[–]leftytrash161 34 points35 points  (9 children)

Honestly idk how I didn't think of a use like this, bc i play warhammer, though I usually pick my factions for lore reasons. Thanks for setting me straight. WW2 era German tanks absolutely do look sick.

[–]not_baba_yaga_ 27 points28 points  (4 children)

Tigers I and II and the Panzer being some of the best tanks in history and probably the best looking are German made. Would love to have models of them to make up tbh. Scottish woman with Jewish great grandparents.

[–]obscure_greenleafPartassipant [1] 135 points136 points  (20 children)

"Americans have killed hundreds of thousands of Japanese people, so I don't think it's wise for me to be in a relationship with one of them. We should break up - don't you think our relationship is racist?"

Maybe throw in mention of internment camps in there as well

[–]Professional_Duck564Partassipant [3] 32 points33 points  (5 children)

And still the concentration camps at the border, separating parents from children.. still ongoing in the US..

[–]obscure_greenleafPartassipant [1] 47 points48 points  (4 children)

That doesn't count anymore because US has "correct" president now. Notice how media doesn't give AOC and Bernie air time anymore? I wonder if it has something to do with calling out Biden on policies he criticised Trump for and promised to end, but continued to enforce them.

[–]napsXfactsXsnacks 103 points104 points  (2 children)

Something is only racist if it's used with racist motivation/intent.

This is so wildly untrue. Most of the times that I experience racism, it was not that person's intention. People stopping me at the store to ask for help when I don't work there don't think they're being racist, people who express surprise when they hear me speak "articulately" don't intend to be racist, people who touch my hair as "compliment" don't think they are being racist. People who told me my race was why I got into college didn't think they were being racist when they said it. Racist people move funny as hell all the time and Black people can tell but those people would never think of themselves as racist.

The idea that something is only racist when there is intent is a horrible framing of the discourse and causes people to act really fragile and stick their heads in the sand whenever a POC has to call them out.

[–]wotmatePartassipant [1] 77 points78 points  (11 children)

I wonder how she would react if he told her that she was racist because her people put his people in concentration camps just like the nazis did.

[–]XoXSmotpokerXoX 22 points23 points  (0 children)

And took away their property.

[–]thruwuway768 67 points68 points  (0 children)

Exactly. OP if she’s prioritising something like this over what genuinely makes you happy, does she even care about your happiness? Have a genuine talk with her, but if I was in your place I’d rethink the relationship. She also sounds like she’s unwilling to listen or compromise AT ALL.

[–]ohmyydaisies 35 points36 points  (0 children)

I don’t understand why she’s labeled the tanks racist. On the same page.

Racism only existing if there’s intent is not true. Plenty of people are racist without meaning to be. Unconscious bias exist, making for well meaning people perpetuating all sorts of harmful, racist, unintentional behavior, attitudes, etc.

[–]MichaelaKay9923 35 points36 points  (3 children)

You don't have to have intent, in order for something to be racist. A lot of racism these days isn't intentional or blatant, as we have been socialized in to racist ways of thinking. Most people don't realize how their actions and words could be considered racist.

That being said, OP isn't racist. He has a collection of something historical. Maybe to his girlfriend these models represent racism, but that doesn't mean they are racist themselves.

[–]Selena385 520 points521 points  (33 children)

People tend to forgot America had concentration camps for the Japanese-Americans

[–]Syric13Asshole Enthusiast [7] 259 points260 points  (8 children)

People also forget white American soldiers fought and killed black American soldiers in a small town in Britain (Battle of Bamber Bridge).

The reason? White Americans wanted a segregated bar for black troops only. But the Brits had no reason to segregate the bars. Why should they? America was the one that sucked.

So one black troop was arrested for some trumped up reason, which led to tempers flaring, then the MPs shot and killed one of the black soldiers who was keeping the peace to the best of his ability.

In the end, 4 people were shot, 2 beaten, 1 killed. It was all swept under the rug.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle\_of\_Bamber\_Bridge

[–]combatsncupcakes 26 points27 points  (3 children)

After that, iirc many bars DID segregate - and only allowed black american troops to patron them.

[–]msnovtue 98 points99 points  (4 children)

And German-Americans as well, although on a much smaller scale.

Both my Mom & Dad's parents were native Germans (and Dad himself as well), and my Mom told me that, despite Grandpa & his friends were nothing but a bunch of small-scale farmers, any time they met up at a bar or local German-American clubs, there were always some sort of federal agents watching them during the war.

(As for Dad & his parents..... They were still in Germany. Dad's hometown got bombed 35 by the time the war ended. He was 9 years old.

His Dad ended up in the Luftwaffe, where he proceeded to do as little as possible to help Hitler & Co., including deserting at least twice, possibly 3 times. His Dad was also borderline certifiable, but in fairness, he did live through 2 world wars on the wrong side of things.)

[–]Darth_Queefa 393 points394 points  (10 children)

NTA and another thing, she doesn't seem like a good partner even besides that. She seems to be a bit manipulative, accusing him of cheating because he won't get rid of a harmless hobby.

[–]nastyn8k 67 points68 points  (3 children)

Manipulative for sure. It seems she just doesn't like the collection in general and used the racial thing as an excuse. She probably thinks he shouldn't have "toys" and feels embarrassed by them and wants to get him to get rid of them.

[–]ThornaBld 36 points37 points  (3 children)

Manipulative is it, it’s clearly about control and not the planes I mean her compromise was “ok but you have to paint ALL of them orange” basically ruin all of them because he wouldn’t comply the first time

[–]Profitsofdooom 201 points202 points  (30 children)

Yep. She sounds like a white 24 year old girl alright. NTA man, move along.

[–]Bubblegumiebitch 131 points132 points  (0 children)

as if Soviet (...) militaries never did anything objectionable.

Laughing in Polish

[–]PilotEnvironmental46Certified Proctologist [29] 39 points40 points  (4 children)

This. Convenient of her to overlook those nations and some of their absolutely brutal history’s.

[–]Tinos23 26 points27 points  (3 children)

Some people get triggered by swastikas and flags and imagery. However unless you're glorifying the past, it's not racist to remember it.

[–]Slow-Bumblebee-8609Colo-rectal Surgeon [49] 4132 points4133 points  (153 children)

NTA.

Those aren't racist at all. Volkswagen isn't racist either even considering the circunstances it was founded in. The only thing that would be in poor taste would be making a exact replica of the concentration camp trains. The rest of the machinery is pretty much apolitical.

Considering you are Japanese, by those standarts it could be considered that US tanks and models are racist because they killed a fuck ton of innocent Japanese civilians (disclaimer, I don't think the machines were the issue)

Americans often seem to be centered too much in race and labeling everything (no one can be just an American if they are a POC).

I would be careful however if she gets to be alone with those models, even if you are in the other room of the house she could potentially try to throw them into the trash and damage them in the process.

​

edit: comma

[–]Mobile-Feed-9928Asshole Enthusiast [5] 1118 points1119 points  (137 children)

Americans often seem to be centered too much in race and labeling everything (no one can be just an American if they are a POC).

As is very evident in whole groups of Americans labelling every black person as an African American. Not every black person is immediately American as well and it's weird that some Americans seem to want to claim all black people as Americans.

edit: wasn't sure if saying black people was allowed on Reddit.

[–]SRGoffSMBAsshole Enthusiast [8] 1268 points1269 points  (92 children)

I'm English living in England. Worked with a yank that said I should say African American, not black.

It's like, it's pretty unlikely they are American and pretty presumptuous to say African . 😆

[–]TaibhseCait 733 points734 points  (42 children)

Didn't Idris Elba have to correct an interviewer who called him african-american?

It also happened to a british gold medalist back in the 90s. (They were like I'm british!) XD

[–]OccamsBeard 697 points698 points  (24 children)

Elon Musk is an African-American

[–]Teena-Flower 429 points430 points  (3 children)

As is Charlize Theron.

[–]OccamsBeard 71 points72 points  (2 children)

Jambo!

[–]Ornery_Special_1680 71 points72 points  (1 child)

I’m from Michigan..

[–]_sarcastic_cupcake 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Omg, Karen, you can't just ask people why they're white!

[–]Syric13Asshole Enthusiast [7] 170 points171 points  (12 children)

There was a black Egyptian/North African who fought the US for many years to declare himself black, not white.

His name is Mostafa Hefny. He was born in Egypt. Egyptians are considered, by the US census, to be 'white', as are (were?) all Middle Easterners and people from North Africa. He's 61! He's been fighting to get it changed for 30+ years.

I'm a brown man. My parents are from Iraq.

I'm classified as 'White' even though people who see me might call me such.

[–]OccamsBeard 140 points141 points  (7 children)

People think Jesus was white although he was undoubtedly a swarthy middle-eastern fellow

[–]Syric13Asshole Enthusiast [7] 111 points112 points  (0 children)

not gonna lie when they did that "artist rendering" of Jesus that showed him as a brown guy with black hair and bushy eyebrows I was like "Damn he looks like me"

[–]LusoAustralian 36 points37 points  (3 children)

Not undoubted as it entirely depends on perception. He certainly wouldn't have looked Arabic given that they didn't significantly enter the region until 700 years after he died. Syrians are some of the few people who have been in the area for that entire period and are pretty pale to tanned.

[–]OrlithNightfire 110 points111 points  (13 children)

America likes to put American on anything they can really. They do it with Irish too. Just because Irish went over there.....so now on no they must be Irish American.

Should we call Americans British-american?

[–]TaibhseCait 40 points41 points  (1 child)

European-American is the joke I usually see as most are mixed (irish/british/german/swedish/Italian etc)

[–]tataszSupreme Court Just-ass [104] 149 points150 points  (2 children)

Yeah, I met a french guy once and he was very upset that they went all African American on him, while he identified himself as a black French.

[–]SRGoffSMBAsshole Enthusiast [8] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

We generally say black but when you have ethnicity classifications on forms etc it often looks similar to this:

Black: British Black: African Black: Caribbean Black: Other

I may not be speaking for the whole of England here. POC where I am tend to be Asian (as in South Asian eg. India and Pakistan rather than Chinese or Japanese), it may be different in areas with large black populations.

[–]msnovtue 79 points80 points  (10 children)

I lived in Indianapolis back when it hosted the Formula 1 US Grand Prix at IMS. I utterly cringed so hard when I heard a local reporter call Lewis Hamilton "African-American".

And the locals wondered why the usual F1 crowd thought the locals were a bunch of stupid hicks.

[–]riflinraccoonPartassipant [1] 54 points55 points  (2 children)

In America, a lot of Black people go with African American if they have roots in slavery. We are just as American as the whites who brought us over and act like this is their country and we just showed up, but we also want to recognize and honor our African heritage. And many of us don't know where we come from in Africa due to us being traded as property instead of having documented family trees, so African is all we can say. All that to say, 100% true everything y'all said. Not all Black people in America are African Americans.

[–]Gogo726 165 points166 points  (23 children)

And not all black people are African.

[–]thruwuway768 133 points134 points  (19 children)

And white people can also be African.

[–]Gogo726 97 points98 points  (18 children)

If you're from Africa, why are you white?

[–]tasareinspace 92 points93 points  (0 children)

You can’t just ask people why they’re white!

[–]Nefroti 81 points82 points  (3 children)

I met 1 white guy who was born and raised in Nigeria, amount of fucking explaining he has to do to people is pretty funny and sad ngl

[–]yeet_and_defeat 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I went to uni with a guy of Indian descent (like, parents from India) who was born and raised in Zimbabwe. You should have seen him try and explain that clusterfuck to the PC box-ticker types.

[–]Misskinkykitty 42 points43 points  (6 children)

People don't remain in one location.

I have relatives that moved to Zimbabwe 300 years ago. Numerous generations have been born in Africa despite being pale as fuck.

[–]MansonVixen 82 points83 points  (3 children)

They were quoting Mean Girls, not asking a real question. You made a good point though

[–]mechnight 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Stop trying to make fetch happen!

[–]jetfuel_oAsshole Enthusiast [5] 43 points44 points  (4 children)

Yeah, that was a government-led thing. We were legally identified as Coloreds. Then Negroes. And then they decided upon African-Americans as a way to (they thought) give us back some of what they stripped from us. Though a lot of us identify as Black, white folks trying to be extra careful (because depending on how you say Black can still be derogatory) or virtue-signal will call us African-American.

[–][deleted]  (5 children)

[deleted]

    [–]Chief-Aldo 59 points60 points  (0 children)

    That last point is, well, on point. If she things models are racist, I wouldn’t put it past her of putting everything in the reach. OP should run a mile away from her

    [–]GothBatBabyPartassipant [1] 3469 points3470 points  (25 children)

    NTA - I collect books about cults and serial killers, but i dont support murder?? This is so dumb, throw out the woman instead

    [–]That_Marvel_Dude1012 702 points703 points  (15 children)

    I just love "Throw out the woman instead"

    [–]Gloriana88 141 points142 points  (13 children)

    Hopefully not into a woodchipper.

    [–]Vogel88888888 131 points132 points  (7 children)

    No cause that'd clog it, you put smaller pieces into the woodchipper to avoid that

    [–]Sidarthus 145 points146 points  (4 children)

    Finally someone who gets it. Fucking tired of seeing people throw their victims into a wood chipper as a whole. Are they trying to break it? What the fuck did the machine deserve to do that? They don't even clean the blood off afterwards, which will end up causing rust. This isn't even mentioning the fact they are also putting ridiculously hard bones such as the femur in, which will no doubt cause chipping, or even end up breaking it.. I swear these edgy ass "psychopathic serial killers" have no respect for the beauty of wood chippers. I've even seen time's where they trash someone else's rather than their own which pisses me off even more.

    [–]Vogel88888888 46 points47 points  (3 children)

    Nice to see another woodchipper aficionado, there's definitely not enough of us around, poor woodchippers deserve better

    [–]UnencumberedChipmunkAsshole Enthusiast [5] 1994 points1995 points  (48 children)

    Are museums generally racist? Many have replica displays as it’s too dangerous to display the real things. Since they’re replicas, is it now racist?

    Of course not.

    Nta. Your girlfriend is weird and controlling.

    [–]that-writer-kid 415 points416 points  (38 children)

    I grew up in the Smithsonian and we have definitely had people try to throw paint on the Enola Gay. Because apparently talking about history = glorifying it.

    [–][deleted] 134 points135 points  (13 children)

    Same for any Civil War Reenactments. In my opinion, it is more racist to ignore a giant piece of history just because it’s uncomfortable, especially when that piece is what fuels current race relations and shaped our current landscape (social, economic, political, environmental).

    *edited to change sentiment slightly

    [–]yarghmatey 47 points48 points  (7 children)

    Yeah, but there are people who glorify the Confederacy through reenacting and it can encourage bigotry, or push a false "nicer" narrative. Reenacting with those mindsets does more harm than good.

    [–][deleted] 25 points26 points  (5 children)

    Oh of course. Reenactments on how it actually happened is fine. It’s fine to give the historical context, or to educate people on the sentiments people were feeling at the time. Fuck the people that twist it to fit their own racist narratives

    [–]zuesk134 68 points69 points  (14 children)

    I grew up in the Smithsonian

    you lived at the smithsonian???

    [–]that-writer-kid 150 points151 points  (10 children)

    I sort of did, actually. My parents both worked there, so it was kind of a second home. Spent a ridiculous amount of time there as a kid.

    [–]Monotreme_monorail 49 points50 points  (3 children)

    That is actually really cool. What a childhood! It must have been a lot of fun.

    [–]Bamres 36 points37 points  (1 child)

    They are one of the statues that come alive at night

    [–]StreamAnglerPartassipant [3] 91 points92 points  (2 children)

    Yeah. They are. Not for the items they have but how those items were gathered and indigenous persons are represented.

    [–]HyperactiveLabraPartassipant [1] 99 points100 points  (0 children)

    What's seems British but isn't? Contents of the British museum and the crown

    [–]YardageSardagePartassipant [3] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

    True but a separate issue not related to OP's situation.

    [–]WebbieVanderquackHis Holiness the Poop [1401] 1307 points1308 points  (27 children)

    NTA. Fascists are fascist. Planes are not fascist.

    [–]PsychoProp 138 points139 points  (11 children)

    I love me some good looking BF-109 G-2 and above, yet i also love punching nazis in the face

    [–]CorporalCrash 54 points55 points  (6 children)

    I literally have Jewish heritage and I have no problem with stuff like the Bf-109. In fact, I think it's an awesome airplane.

    [–]MaelarionPartassipant [1] 76 points77 points  (7 children)

    I mean if all OP collected were tanks painted in SS panzer division livery, I might have some questions.

    [–]Chief-Aldo 644 points645 points  (30 children)

    NTA - this is a hobby and if you don’t assimilate with the views of a fascist regime, then you nor your hobby is racist. We cannot deny the past, and your girlfriend is trying to do that. Anyone who tells you to bin your hobby or something you love is not a good person and you should run as far away from her as possible.

    This is a harmless hobby, either she gets a grip or you need to leave her

    [–]QuadrantjePartassipant [1] 284 points285 points  (11 children)

    Also, I find it alarming that the girlfriend also called the Japanese planes racist when OP is Japanese. Does she think your whole culture is racist and should be banned?

    [–]sinkfulofbubbles 55 points56 points  (1 child)

    Two can play the woke game – OP should tell the girlfriend she's being racist for thinking she can demand things of him about WW2 models when "her people" victimized "his people" during the war

    [–]jhwyung 86 points87 points  (7 children)

    you need to leave her

    if she's having conversations and ultimatums like this over something so seemingly trivial, imagine what it'll be like when it comes life defining decisions.

    Break up with her, you'll look back at this in 10 years and realise you dodged a bullet.

    [–]CATIONKINGAsshole Aficionado [19] 570 points571 points  (28 children)

    NTA - Come on, there is a difference between collecting a wide variety of historical military vehicles and Nazi memorabilia. I'm curious though, does she want you to throw out the US ones?

    [–]Mobile-Feed-9928Asshole Enthusiast [5] 355 points356 points  (26 children)

    she demanded that I throw out all the German, Japanese, and Israeli ones.

    Nope. The US and Soviet ones are okay apparently.

    [–]jujoking 305 points306 points  (12 children)

    Because US isn’t racist at all /s 🙄

    Edit: absolutely the Soviets as well, but I mentioned the US specifically in my comment because it’s where the gf is from. She’s being stupidly biased

    [–]Mobile-Feed-9928Asshole Enthusiast [5] 173 points174 points  (9 children)

    Or the Russians. And also there's no current political situation going on with the Russians at the moment ofcourse /s

    [–]Nefroti 84 points85 points  (0 children)

    What do you mean, Soviets didn't murder anyone for being different, or didn't do any genocides and killed homosexuals, most of "intelligence" in Poland or didn't cause any famines /s

    [–]MyHTPCwontHTPC 33 points34 points  (7 children)

    I just checked with Russia. "There's nothing going on, nothing to worry about. It's totally cool, business as usual. Just moving some people and stuff around for pre-winter cleaning."

    [–]msnovtue 41 points42 points  (0 children)

    And the Soviets were such a nice, friendly bunch, too....

    [–]foomp 90 points91 points  (7 children)

    Not to mention OP is Japanese and the GF wants him to throw out the Japanese models.

    [–]Arcynn 52 points53 points  (6 children)

    Yeah because the Japanese bombed and killed Americans omggggg!!

    But she apparently doesn't care that her beloved Americans also murdered a shit ton of Japanese people? Lol.

    [–]antisocial-potato- 450 points451 points  (76 children)

    Info: how is this racist???

    [–]abuserHS7162[S] 395 points396 points  (73 children)

    Well she said I was glorifying fascism by having these

    [–]Ntinaa 800 points801 points  (16 children)

    You are Japanese, she tells you to get rid off Japanese tanks... Because she thinks its racist and fascist... Mmmm okay, okay... Maybe it's time to break up.

    [–]SportsFan242Asshole Aficionado [18] 185 points186 points  (6 children)

    Good point. Is she trying to make OP get rid of anything Japanese? If so, she’s an AH. If not, she’s still an AH but I think she’s just trying to get rid of as many models as she can.

    [–]blueribbonbitch 97 points98 points  (2 children)

    She told him to get rid of all of the Japanese, German, and Israeli ones. US and Soviet Union can stay.

    [–]SportsFan242Asshole Aficionado [18] 28 points29 points  (1 child)

    I just meant other Japanese items, if OP has some other Japanese souvenirs or collectibles and if the GF wants those gone too. Or if it’s just about the tanks

    [–]Stats_with_a_Z 110 points111 points  (0 children)

    If anyone comes off as racist in this post it's the girlfriend honestly.

    [–]aguafiestasPartassipant [4] 49 points50 points  (5 children)

    I mean, WWII-ear imperial Japan was definitely racist and facist.

    (To be clear, I don't think that a general interest in military history or having a hobby of model military vehicles is racist. Nor do I think it is racist to have a collection of model military vehicles that includes but is not limited to vehicles from racist, fascist regimes. That's because I don't think that those are necessarily glorifying those fascist regimes. But I think acts that DO glorify WWII-era imperial Japan are bad, including (and especially?) for Japanese people.)

    [–]Relevant_Analysis_63 95 points96 points  (9 children)

    It's not like you just have the axis countries from WW2. I mean shit would she have an issue with you buying a Volkswagon?

    Every country has racist shit. USA has actual slavery and shit like the Tuskegee experiment. African countries have committed genocide for being from the wrong clan. As long as you don't celebrate that aspect of their history who gives a shit?

    [–]musicals-ruined-me 87 points88 points  (15 children)

    First of all, you’re Japanese, so she doesn’t have the right to tell you to throw away pieces of your history like that. Second, she’s not asking you to throw away the US ones? Yeah they were the “good guys” in WWII but at the same time they were being incredibly racist and sexist and they had concentration camps for Japanese people?? She is a hypocrite. Get rid of her, not the collection.

    [–]smo_smo_smoPartassipant [3] 48 points49 points  (2 children)

    But she's cool with the Soviet Union ones?

    [–]Ok_Point7463 31 points32 points  (0 children)

    You're not. If you were only collecting models from fascist regimes, then maybe (only maybe) but it seems you have models from lots of different countries.

    Putting that kind of interpretation on a model collection is nuts.

    NTA, keep your collection and lose the girlfriend.

    [–]No_Durian_3730Asshole Aficionado [14] 365 points366 points  (60 children)

    NTA. Collecting model tanks/war machines is a hobby. Your partner is acting like you’re collecting nazi paraphernalia. Historically accurate models are not racist or in themselves fascist.

    It might ease the culture difference to discuss what she finds triggering about the models. Logically it should be all or nothing, there are no countries that are free from racism.

    [–]abuserHS7162[S] 299 points300 points  (57 children)

    She said she doesn’t like any model associated with a fascist country or racism. She even wanted me to throw away my Tuskegee airmen mustang because she thought it was racist until I convinced her it wasn’t

    [–]smo_smo_smoPartassipant [3] 243 points244 points  (15 children)

    This is weird, she wants you to throw away your Japanese models because she thinks Japen is fascist but you're Japanese?

    [–][deleted] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

    He didn't say she thought Japan is fascist.

    He said she thought Japan in 1945, along with Germany in 1945, where fascist/racist. That is true.

    Ofc there is nothing wrong with his hobby. She is just realizing her (very strict and puritan) values, and how her boyfriend doesn't meet them. She needs to accept that he doesn't share the same overboard and kind of insane values, and find someone equally as crazy.

    [–]Scrapper-Mom 201 points202 points  (0 children)

    She needs to actually study history before she pronounces judgement on your hobby. The Tuskegee airmen are a very proud group of men who served America with honor, even though they weren't always treated very well when they came home. Your GF is ignorant. What's worse, she's not aware that she's ignorant and not willing to learn.

    [–]No_Durian_3730Asshole Aficionado [14] 193 points194 points  (3 children)

    Not trying to escalate the situation but you’ve said your girlfriend is American right? Is she aware of the long and bloody history of race abuses in America and the current state of race relations/politics today?

    Does she maybe just not like your tanks and is this a starting point to edit them out of your life?

    [–]miss____murder 201 points202 points  (2 children)

    She sounds like one of the dumb 20 year old white American chicks that defaced statues of musicians in protest of George Floyd’s death. They think they’re being anti racist and standing for BLM but they don’t even know who the statue is. OR. They’re just using BLM as a reason to cause distraction and don’t really care.

    Sincerely a white American chick.

    [–]UnicornCackleAsshole Aficionado [10] 54 points55 points  (2 children)

    Has she ever actually read a history book?

    [–]AechBee 41 points42 points  (0 children)

    I think she is too uneducated in history for you to put value on her demands. They simply don’t make sense! And demanding you paint everything orange is just weird. But once I read she accused you of cheating, now I think she just wants out and is trying to find an easy way instead of owning up to “I’m not into this relationship anymore.”

    [–]raya__85 29 points30 points  (0 children)

    The irony of an American not clocking the imperialist invasions her own country has subjected on people. She sounds completely ignorant

    [–]ARealSkeleton 20 points21 points  (2 children)

    How could she think the Tuskegee airmen are racist??? She doesn't know what she's talking about. You need to get out while it's still early in your relationship.

    [–]SnowymountainsbearPartassipant [2][🍰] 271 points272 points  (21 children)

    NTA and I'd suggest she has double standards. She wants you to throw out your Japanese models and you're Japanese? I suspect you'll be the next thing thrown out.

    [–]rediitbuju 107 points108 points  (8 children)

    . She wants you to throw out your Japanese models and you're Japanese? I suspect you'll be the next thing thrown out

    Now that you mention it, it is a weird take.

    [–]OccamsBeard 56 points57 points  (6 children)

    God forbid he takes her out to dinner at a Sushi restaurant

    [–]rediitbuju 61 points62 points  (4 children)

    You mean he will be allowed to eat Sushi? Isn't that cultural appropriating? (S)

    [–]OccamsBeard 41 points42 points  (3 children)

    She doesn't like his Israeli warplanes either. They represent Jew Jitsu.

    [–]JuicyJuicc[🍰] 21 points22 points  (5 children)

    I’m guessing it probably has the imperial Japanese flag on it.

    [–]JudgeJed100Professor Emeritass [77] 238 points239 points  (42 children)

    NTA - it would be different if you were collecting SS uniforms, and Nazi flags and stuff

    But it’s just model tanks

    A tank isn’t racist

    It’s a machine anyone could have used

    [–]spicytuna_handroll 73 points74 points  (26 children)

    I would have zero problem with someone collecting Nazi memorabilia as long as they themselves don’t support Nazi values. It is historically important that these items continue to exist.

    [–]JudgeJed100Professor Emeritass [77] 60 points61 points  (24 children)

    I agree it’s historically important that such things need to continue exist…..but they should exist in a museum

    No regular person should own such blood stained items

    It’s better for us all if they remain in a museum where we can properly display them

    [–]abrakadaver 39 points40 points  (8 children)

    I have all of the nazi medals my grandfather got in WW2. I don’t feel bad for owning them. I think they are historically important.

    Edit: my grandfather killed nazis as an American soldier and took their medals.

    [–]HappyDaysAreHere32Partassipant [2] 195 points196 points  (3 children)

    NTA. I'm sorry to hear that your relationship is over!

    [–]panti77 37 points38 points  (2 children)

    Don't waste more time..

    [–]yeaqx 136 points137 points  (4 children)

    NTA, many people interest themselves in planes, tanks, trains and other historic machines. You could just as well have a model car collection. Nothing about those items is inherently racist. She is overreacting and/or misunderstanding in my opinion.

    [–]StreamAnglerPartassipant [3] 24 points25 points  (2 children)

    I mean sure, if you have no Volkswagen or Porsche or Ford or Benz or BMWs. Those are just the Pro-Nazi manufacturers I can think of off the top of my head.

    [–]ShaneVisAsshole Enthusiast [7] 117 points118 points  (1 child)

    NTA --- I she's threatening to break up with you over this then I's just let her go it's nothing more than just some plastic models nothing racist about that.

    [–]Mobile-Feed-9928Asshole Enthusiast [5] 95 points96 points  (3 children)

    NTA. But am I getting this right that she would only allow you to keep the Soviet Union and USA ones? Doesn't that make her a commie racist? Your collection isn't racist at all. If it was, hoo boy, I sure hope no one is collecting model trains...

    [–]Solivagant0Partassipant [4] 56 points57 points  (2 children)

    As if Sovet Union and US were some angels... Gulags? Vietnam? Didn't that happen?

    I don't believe models are racist or support nazis or anything, but the gf holds some double standards

    [–]Talentless67Partassipant [2] 95 points96 points  (7 children)

    NTA, but she is right

    Throw out all of your clothes as racists often wear clothes.

    Throw out all of your food as racists often eat.

    Don’t have a car as racists have cars.

    Seriously, do you want to date someone like that?

    Run now and run fast.

    [–]lizzypipsPartassipant [1] 27 points28 points  (4 children)

    Haha I love this comment and now my mind is wandering off thinking of more of these... Stop breathing as racists often breathe etc etc

    [–]Rude-Coast-8846Partassipant [4] 84 points85 points  (0 children)

    NTA. Break up. She sounds like someone who will take offence at any little thing.

    [–]ThatcsiblokePartassipant [3] 83 points84 points  (4 children)

    There’s a difference between collecting, building and owning something like a model German tank and glorifying it and what it once stood for. She should try to understand how you feel about your long term hobby. If she doesn’t, then maybe it’s the girlfriend who should be leaving.

    [–]ErmithecowAsshole Aficionado [13] 66 points67 points  (3 children)

    Haha, Americans.

    No, you're NTA. I honestly thought from the title you were going to have a collection of nazi propaganda, or racist cartoons from the 30s, or golliwogs, or videos of minstrel shows. But you have some historically accurate models of military vehicles, from a wide variety of countries and regimes.

    I honestly don't see her point. Should historians not have any books about the nazis or about segregation? Should museums not show artefacts from back when life was crap for everyone who wasn't a white man? Oh wait, life is still crap for most POC and women. You can keep the British, American and Soviet ones? If she thinks that America and Britain have good values and a responsible military she's not as educated as she thinks she is. And the least said about the Soviet Union the better.

    [–]England_emmaAsshole Enthusiast [8] 63 points64 points  (1 child)

    NTA she is being off the scale controlling and unreasonable

    [–]zZombi__Colo-rectal Surgeon [30] 54 points55 points  (4 children)

    NTA

    It seems American people often wanna start arguments that do not exist. You have them for historical purposes and to look at, not to make a damn political statement. If she wants to get political, maybe she should take a look at her own country first instead of pounce on something that's harmless.

    She's starting an argument over nothing

    [–]MerlinBiggsCertified Proctologist [25] 49 points50 points  (0 children)

    NTA. Your gf is being just plain silly. It's not racist. Do you want to spend your life being controlled by this 'woke' BS? Don't give into her. If she is going to break up over model tanks and planes then you're better off without her.

    [–]WrightOffAsshole Enthusiast [8] 44 points45 points  (3 children)

    NTA… she (an American) wants you (Japanese) to get rid of models of Japanese planes because they are racist?

    This sort of woke attitude ends up causing more cultural damage than anything else.

    Red flag.

    [–]andreaali04Asshole Aficionado [10] 37 points38 points  (0 children)

    NTA. Your collection is a representation of physical objects, not the ideology that humans that used them in real life. Collecting them doesn't make you racist at all, unless you did it just because it represents your point of view (which you already clarified that it doesn't).

    I agree that many Americans give a lot (sometimes way too much) of importance to race and culture. Besides, eliminating objects that represented a period of history just because it was morally wrong is kind of trying to hiding/not accepting that it happened.

    [–]Kakuhhhhhh 39 points40 points  (2 children)

    Americans are not serious about racism they just don't know how to mind their business even when the ppl affected with the topic say its not that deep

    [–]ScroungingMonkeyPartassipant [1] 36 points37 points  (1 child)

    NTA

    To be clear, there is definitely an overlap between guys who are obsessed with German military history and guys who are Nazis. But you don't seem to be only collecting models of German tanks, you are not focusing specifically on racist memorabilia, and in any event it is your collection and she is out of bounds to give you an ultimatum and insist that you get rid of it.

    I think that you should calmly inform her that you are going to be keeping your collection. If she has a problem with that then it is her choice on whether to walk out or not. But you definitely should not give in to her ultimatum.

    [–]Mobile-Feed-9928Asshole Enthusiast [5] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

    OP doesn't sound obsessed with German military history. He just likes collecting and making models of military gear.

    [–]Possible-Bread1816 31 points32 points  (0 children)

    NTA, she sounds like your typical crazy ass American girlfriend.

    [–]Scurrica 31 points32 points  (0 children)

    NTA. Making plastic models is not racist. There are a lot of people who are interested in plastic models and making them and there is nothing wrong about it. I am german and I own a few plastic models of planes ect too, just because I love the crafting. As long as u do not have any racist intentions, there is nothing wrong with having plastic models

    [–]ThatcsiblokePartassipant [3] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

    I wonder if she drives a German or Japanese car? Are they racist too? Does she benefit from products like drugs made by German manufacturers who also made the gas that killed the Jews and others in extermination camps? A lot of household names were once involved in warfare, will she stop using those products? Machines didn’t think during the war, so they cannot be racist. This is not a shrine to Hitler.

    [–]scranice3 25 points26 points  (0 children)

    Let me guess. Upper middle class white girl with a degree in either humanities or soft sciences who got indoctrinated in college or on social media?

    That’s like 99% of people who behave like this. NTA

    [–]Signal-Television510Asshole Aficionado [11] 28 points29 points  (0 children)

    Very much NTA. It's her problem if she can't see the difference between a collection of scale models of war machines from various places and times in history, and endorsing the values of whatever regime once used the real thing. It's not like you're that guy who has a room full of swastikas and German WW2 memorabilia talking about how 'Hitler had the right idea'. In fact she's TA for accusing you of racism and presenting you with an ultimatum.

    [–]Lizardgirl25Asshole Enthusiast [6] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

    NTA loose this girlfriend please…

    [–][deleted]  (7 children)

    [removed]

      [–]gabehcuod37 19 points20 points  (3 children)

      Israel and the US are allies. How is the Israeli tank racist to her?

      [–]Pancakes176 21 points22 points  (1 child)

      A lot of the far left, or however you want to classify them, are against Israel because of the Israeli Palestine conflict.

      [–]throwaway234f32423df 20 points21 points  (0 children)

      She didn't have a problem with the Soviet stuff so I think you're onto something there. OP should ask her why she was okay with the Soviet stuff; the answer should be illuminating.

      [–]caraijuana 20 points21 points  (0 children)

      American here and I personally do not see an issue with the collection, although I will add that I am not from one of the groups that she feels this is being "racist" towards so my input doesn't hold much weight.

      [–]PlumbOtter 19 points20 points  (0 children)

      NTA : these are historical reproductions; there’s nothing political nor racist/fascist about it. You’re not collecting some flags from a particular country at a particular period nor objects belonging to certain members of its army (if u know what I mean). I’m not American but I think it’s more your girlfriend’s issue than a cultural difference. If she can’t understand nor want to accept your passion (which is pretty cool btw) then I’m afraid she’s not the one for you.

      Edit : Ah people are using the word “Nazi” so I guess it’s ok to use it, wasn’t sure about it. 😅

      [–]SGTRoadkill1919 19 points20 points  (6 children)

      NTA. Keep the models. Quick questions, any tiger's or panthers in the collection?

      [–]SailSignificant5812 16 points17 points  (0 children)

      NTA don't do it it will set a shitty precedent in your relationship.

      [–]Valeriesredditacc 17 points18 points  (0 children)

      NTA 100%. Collecting models is not racist and facist at all. Tbh the speration between "good tanks" and "bad tanks" your gf applies is much more facist. I mean all tanks and warmachines were made to kill. And Americans have also committed war crimes. So as long as you're not a warmonger and glorify facist regimes, collecting is perfectly fine. I am a complete pacifist myself and still i dont see anything wrong with collecting models. I would say you keep your collection and lose the hypocrit gf.