Black triangle (badge)


The black triangle was a badge used in Nazi concentration camps to mark prisoners regarded asozial and arbeitsscheu. Those considered anti-social included primarily the Romani but it was also used until 1942 to describe alcoholics, homeless, beggars, nomads, and prostitutes. Women deemed to be anti-social included sex-workers, nonconformists, and lesbians. The term "asocial" was originally applied to heterosexual women who engaged in sex outside of marriage, which included prostitutes.

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 dodgers, pacifists, Roma and Sinti people, and others.

Romani

While the black triangle was originally a symbol for many groups, by the beginning of the Final Solution it was being exclusively used for Romani people. The Final Solution included the extermination of all Romani people.

Lesbian

Nazis considered lesbians anti-social and a huge threat to the purity of German society, hence the badge was used to identify them.

Disabled people

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