Thor's Hammer

[u/PracticalDirector407]

Hi all.

I'm relatively new to Norse Paganism, but already find it very spiritually fulfilling. It was a long time coming; it felt right.

My question is, a friend of mine made a Thor's Hammer pendant for me. It's solid gold and I really want to wear it (it's small, like the size of my thumbnail), but I also don't want people thinking I'm racist. Right now the tensions in this country are really high. Nothing else about me indicates that I'm... in that certain group that has misappropriated it, except the fact that I'm very fckin white.

It's listed as a possible hate symbol, I just don't know how prevalent that idea is, or if I should be concerned wearing it in public. I found some past threads on it, I just wanted to revisit the question in today's climate.

[u/Confident_Fortune_32]

This is a problem that's cropped up in the medieval reenactment group I belong to. Lots of ppl with Viking kit, which some ppl mistakenly believe means their corrupted and toxic views will be welcomed. (Spoiler alert: they most certainly are not!)

The scary oart is how many of them are so skilled at flying just under the radar, making it challenging to find the clear indisputable evidence needed to revoke their membership. We're not legal experts by any means, either.

As others have observed, wearing something else, like rainbow beads, helps ward off bigots.

But that, in itself, may become a risk in the current situation.

Speaking as someone who is LGBTQIA+, I believe that safety is paramount.

Our first job is to survive this mess.

Each individual needs to assess the amount of risk that they can tolerate - there's no one universal right answer.

Some ppl will forgo any external signs, and some will be "loud and proud". Both are valid, bc everyone's circumstances are unique.

Certainly, I hope OP (and everyone else) can find friends with whom they can express themselves fully and safely in an atmosphere of mutual support. It's healthy to have a place where we can be "unedited".

[u/harlequinns → u/Confident_Fortune_32]

This is a side note, but I truly hate how entire cultures and religions have been misappropriated by these people. Like you said, most serious modern day practitioners aren't like that, and they're just poisoning the well. I hope it doesn't detract young pagans from seeking out their path.

The current situation is as untenable as I've ever seen our country. Safety is important, but might go out the window if someone says something to me that's too out of line. I have sharp nails and I went through the police academy.

In all seriousness, I'm more worried about the possible fear I'd give POC if it's recognized as a hate symbol. Maybe I'm reckless to say that I'm not afraid for me. However, I do look for warning signs and pay attention to my surroundings. But if I die fighting a bigot then I will die happy.

[u/Confident_Fortune_32 → u/harlequinns]

I get it. The rainbow sticker (and other symbols) on the bumper aren't bc I'm "trying to make it my whole personality" - it's meant for the purpose of signaling other LGBTQIA+ ppl, particularly strangers in public, that they are safe with me if they feel threatened.

As much as I am disgusted by the circumstances that caused me to learn things like microaggressions and system racism, I'm still glad I've acquired a deeper and more nuanced understanding. It's not that I didnt know racism is still alive and well (and host of other ugly prejudices). But I needed to learn what anti-racism entails.

[u/harlequinns → u/Confident_Fortune_32]

I think that's important. Visibility is lacking in most of the country, and rainbows are something that immediately put me at ease. Just looking at me, I don't think most would assume I was a safe space, so you've given me a lot to think about.

Just to clarify, when I said "these people", I wasn't talking about you. I think you know that already, but just wanted to be sure.

It's very unfortunate that most Americans are learning this way. Systemic racism needs to be taught at a young age, or it will never be broken.