"We demand that the state be charged first with providing the opportunity for a livelihood & way of life for the citizens. If it is impossible to nourish the total population of the State, then non-citizens must be excluded from the Reich." - Nazi Party Program, 1920.
It is Yom HaShoah, the Jewish day of Holocaust remembrance.
Today belongs to the millions murdered; to victims, not perpetrators. The last thing we want to be doing is quoting Nazis.
But we need to remember this history, too. Because we are in grave danger of repeating it.
Today belongs to the millions murdered; to victims, not perpetrators. The last thing we want to be doing is quoting Nazis.
But we need to remember this history, too. Because we are in grave danger of repeating it.
1920, the year the Nazi Party was founded, was a time of crisis. After World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic, the foundations of societies around the world began to crumble.
The 1920 W.B. Yeats poem 'Second Coming' captures the mood:
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
The 1920 W.B. Yeats poem 'Second Coming' captures the mood:
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
Over the next 15 years, country after country experienced economic collapse. In the face of millions unemployed, families going hungry, and complete desperation, government after government was unable or unwilling to give people the help they needed to weather the storm.
And into this vacuum, offering a toxic blend of hope & hate, came the fascists.
Italy's economy cratered early; Mussolini seized control in 1922. Once the Great Depression hit, country after country fell. And in 1933, as unemployment hit 30%, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
Italy's economy cratered early; Mussolini seized control in 1922. Once the Great Depression hit, country after country fell. And in 1933, as unemployment hit 30%, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
America was also devastated by the Great Depression - 25% unemployment, rampant despair. There was no lack of racism or anti-semitism, and fascists were active here.
So why didn't America go fascist? Because we were offered hope without hate. It was called the New Deal.
So why didn't America go fascist? Because we were offered hope without hate. It was called the New Deal.
Nazism called on Germans to turn *on* each other, to find security in persecution and exclusion.
The New Deal called on Americans to turn *to* each other, to find security in cooperation and inclusion.
Which of those paths do you think Trump will follow?
The New Deal called on Americans to turn *to* each other, to find security in cooperation and inclusion.
Which of those paths do you think Trump will follow?
We can fight to make sure ALL OF US get the help we need, that nobody in this country goes without food or shelter or healthcare.
Or we can sit back as Trump abandons millions to poverty and fear, while telling his followers to blame their suffering on immigrants.
Never Again.
Or we can sit back as Trump abandons millions to poverty and fear, while telling his followers to blame their suffering on immigrants.
Never Again.
Although the New Deal was a drastically better vision than Nazism, it was limited and undermined by all the bigotry and prejudices alive and well in the U.S. in the 1930’s. We have to ensure that whatever we fight for today truly leaves no one behind.
