Black triangle (badge) explained

The inverted black triangle (German: schwarzes Dreieck) was an identification badge used in Nazi concentration camps to mark prisoners designated asozial ("a(nti-)social")^[1] and arbeitsscheu ("work-shy"). The Roma and Sinti people were considered asocial and tagged with the black triangle.^[2] The designation also included alcoholics, beggars, homeless people, nomads, prostitutes, and violators of laws prohibiting sexual relations between Aryans and Jews.^[3] Women also deemed to be anti-social included nonconformists.^[4]

Usage

Nazi

The symbol originates from Nazi Germany, where every prisoner had to wear a concentration camp badge on their prison clothes, of which the design and color categorized them according to the reason for their internment. The homeless were included, as were alcoholics, those who habitually avoided labor and employment, draft evaders, pacifists, Roma and Sinti people, and others.^{[5] [6]}

Romani

See main article: Romani Holocaust. Romani first wore the black triangle with a Z notation (for German: Zigeuner, meaning Gypsy) to the right of the triangle's point.^[7] Male Romani were later assigned a brown triangle. Female Romani were still deemed asocials as they were stereotyped as petty criminals (prostitutes, kidnappers and fortune tellers).

Disabled people

Some UK groups concerned with the rights of disabled people have adopted the symbol in their campaigns.^{[8] [9]} Such groups cite press coverage and government policies, including changes to incapacity benefits and disability living allowance, as the reasons for their campaigns.^{[10] [11]} "The Black Triangle List" was created to keep track of welfare-related deaths due to cuts by the Department for Work and Pensions.^[12]

See also

• Antiziganism
• Aktion Arbeitsscheu Reich
• Action T4
• Anti-homelessness legislation
• Discrimination against the homeless

Further reading

• Web site: Lesbians Under the Nazi Regime . . . March 31, 2021.
• Marshall, Stuart. "The Contemporary Use of Gay History: The Third Reich," in Bad-Object Choices (ed.), How Do I Look? Queer Film and Video, Seattle, Wash.: Bay Press, 1991.

Notes and References

1. Elman . Amy . Triangles and Tribulations: The Gay Appropriation of Nazi Symbols . Trouble & Strife . Winter 1996–97 . 34 . 62–66 . 10 June 2021 . An earlier version of this article appeared in Journal of Homosexuality, Vol. 30, issue 3, 1996.. (. . .)
2. Web site: Roma and Sinti (Gypsies) Prisoners . Priddy Library . Universities at Shady Grove.
3. Web site: System of triangles. Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum.
4. Heineman. Elizabeth D.. Sexuality and Nazism: The Doubly Unspeakable?. Journal of the History of Sexuality. 2002. 11. 1/2. 22–66. 10.1353/sex.2002.0006. 3704551. 142085835. 1043-4070.
5. Web site: The unsettled, "asocials". Holocaust and Genocide Studies. University of Minnesota. 2007. 14 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20080604015908/http://www.chgs.umn.edu/histories/documentary/hadamar/asocials.html. June 4, 2008. dead.
6. Web site: Asocials. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 23 June 2020.
7. Web site: Glossary. 27 March 2018. jewishvirtuallibrary.org.
8. Web site: About Black Triangle. Black Triangle Campaign. March 2012.
9. Web site: About. Disabled People Against Cuts. 2010.
10. News: Sue Marsh. No disability living allowance for me. Nowhere to turn for many more.. Black Triangle Campaign. 20 December 2011.
11. Web site: George Monbiot. Britain's press are fighting a class war, defending the elite they belong to. Black Triangle Campaign. 12 December 2011.
12. Web site: Laws. Vince. UK Welfare-Related Deaths: The Black Triangle List. Disability Arts Online. 30 April 2015. 30 July 2018.