The Utterly Appalling Thing You Can Buy At A Goodwill Store
A Goodwill in New York state is selling a set of Nazi mugs that feature depictions of Hitler.
Goodwill, a national thrift store known for selling donated used clothing, toys, electronics, and home goods, is selling a set of three mugs decorated with swastikas and Hitler’s image through an online store. The Nazi drinkware is also covered with the motto of the SS, which was the guard for Hitler’s regime.
It is currently selling for $13.99 at the online Goodwill store in Western New York state. The mugs are listed in an auction format, and as of today, there has been one bid made on the distasteful trio of mugs. Titled “3 Vintage Adolf Hitler German Mugs W/Pin,” the Goodwill listing expires on Tuesday evening. The minimum price set is $13.99.
With its headquarters in Buffalo, Goodwill of Western New York runs and operates 19 stores and donation points in the area. The donation points are drop-off areas that do not sell anything, but instead, take the items that people no longer want to sort out before putting them up for sale at a store. Goodwill, which also helps people find jobs, has thousands of stores in the United States.
The Goodwill set of Nazi mugs features two regular-sized mugs, one tall one, and a pin that says, “Ven you’re German it’s hard to be humble!” Two of the mugs have a picture of Hitler himself in black and white, along with a copy of his signature and title. The Nazi Eagle, another symbol of Hitler’s regime, appears on the mugs holding a swastika with its claws.
Several different hate symbols adorn the third mug, such as the Odal Rune, the Arrow Cross, and the Broken Sun Cross. It also shows the Wolfsangel symbol, which Hitler used to further his own propaganda during the Nazi reign and is listed as a hate symbol by the Anti-Defamation League. The Goodwill “collectible” also has the phrase “My honor is called loyalty” in German, a motto that the SS often used and has been outlawed in Germany since 1947.
The Goodwill listing does not provide detail about who donated the mug or where it came from, nor does it state how old the set is. The listing describes the set of mugs as in good condition with a few signs of wear. According to Vice, a reader alerted them about the listing, calling it “an absolute disgrace.”
The same reader also sent Goodwill an email asking for the listing to be removed, especially since Goodwill is an organization that makes it a priority to help those with disabilities. Hitler targeted those with special needs, which makes Goodwill’s mission seem at odds with the listing. The reader also requested that the Nazi set be destroyed, and asked Goodwill to refrain from listing any items that promote racism in the future.
Vice reached out to Goodwill of Western New York for comment but hasn’t received a response. The online Goodwill store has been live since 1999, boasting more than 20 million visitors each week, and raked in over $1 billion last year in sales. The online store sold nearly 5 million items in 2020.
Regional Goodwill store employees list the items for sale online and use an auction format where a minimum price is set, and the winner is the person with the highest bid. This isn’t the first time that Goodwill has faced controversy over selling Nazi paraphernalia. In 2017, a pair of shorts with a printed Nazi eagle was found in a physical store in Pasadena, California.
The Goodwill auction has been openly condemned by several Jewish leaders. Goodwill’s inaction led to 34 of those leaders to write an open letter that explains the history of the Nazi regime and why selling the memorabilia is morally reprehensible. The listing also included other Nazi-related items such as Hitler’s lover’s terrier’s dog collar and Nazi-figure adorned champagne glasses.
