Racism and Symbols

Two years ago, I was accused of being a racist. This was long before I started blogging, so it had nothing to do with the Brigade . . . it was in person, at work. I was walking down the hall towards the coffee room, when a an employee from a different department asked me how I could wear such an offensive symbol.

Didn't I know that this symbol was the universal symbol of hatred, racism, and intolerance? Could I possibly not be aware of this? Was I blind, stupid, or both?

Didn't I know that in England, they hoisted this flag over every site where racist attacks took place?

This symbol. (Graphic courtesy of this site.)

To cap it all off, my accuser was colour-blind. He thought the colours were green on white.

Update: Okay, the flag is the flag of England (not the United Kingdom, which also includes the Cross of St. Andrew and the Cross of St. Patrick). The shirt I was wearing was a World Cup 2002 shirt with the Cross of St. George prominently displayed over a soccer ball and the World Cup logo. And, duh, I was wearing it because I was supporting the English team (Canada not having qualified for the World Cup. Again.)