…suppressing your opposition with power; strong regimentation of society and economy, and dictatorial power- Fascism
In the collegial setting, politics is taught as a science. It is meant to be an apolitical study based upon history or comparison, its global effects i.e. international implications, and accepted theory. Although modern fascism first reared its head in Italy the example most of the world points to is Nazi Germany and Hitler. One has to try really hard to avoid what has been known as Godwin’s Law when debating modern politics, especially the out-of-control fascist debasement of Americanism within the Republican Party.
Hitler decided the suppression of information, science, and knowledge should be limited to his handpicked German leaders and lackeys. Therefore book-burning, minus the marshmallows, was sanctioned by his regime. Some believe Hitler was behind the arson of the Reichstag Building to create an enemy of the dissenters thereby solidifying growing anti-Semitic fervor, further consolidating his power. The above was a quick synopsis, but the parallels to what we saw in the past 4 years are remarkable. The one consistent thing about the former president was that he did everything bassackward, politically. Hitler attacked his parliament before his election, Trump did it on the alleged theory of enacting martial law, queue January 6. Trump negotiated the surrender in Afghanistan, to the Taliban, and later informed the sitting Afghan government, without former Afghan President Karzai’s input.
Hitler separated the people by proclaiming Aryan’s supreme beings, with no place for others, Trump defamed brown and black people (around the world) setting up a defacto Aryan supremacy amongst his orange shirts in the U.S. Proof of my premise can be found when you remember the Tiki torch-carrying would-be Aryans, shouting blood and soil and Jews will not replace us in Charlottesville, Virginia in August of 2017.
Now scores of Trump supporters would rather take horse pills than listen to science. Dr. Fauci, the CDC, state and local health department officials are getting death threats and intimidation tactics have become routine parts of their lives while they do their jobs, trying to keep Americans safe and alive. Teachers and educators are facing the same sort of challenges from squealing, screaming devotees of Mr. Trump, some allegedly paid to create scenes at public events. I recently watched a riveting documentary entitled, In the Same Breath directed by Nanfu Wang at about 2 am. I fell asleep early with the tv on, I woke up to get a glass of water, and although I had an 8 o’clock class that morning, I could not pull my eyes away from the screen.
The documentary traces the origins, the missteps, and eventual political exploitation of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) by the Chinese government and America. Much like the jailed Chinese doctors who bucked the Communist party’s orders of silence, the Trump administration effectively jailed the minds of Americans, by destroying the trust in doctors and scientists. Germans blindly donned brown shirts and fell prey to Hitler’s indoctrination tactics. Trump followers affixed their red hats and followed their leader to the tune of 600,000 + deaths.
Hitler politically enslaved and appointed sycophants to do his bidding and Trump followed suit because, like Hitler, cruelty was the point. So now, voting rights, women’s rights, Jewish rights, and Black rights are again in danger.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.~ Martin Niemöller
Speak out—Continue to Vote for Change
